Depay agrees Corinthians deal through 2028 after pay cut

Memphis Depay has agreed to remain with Corinthians after accepting a significant reduction in his financial demands, BBC Sport reported. Corinthians president Osmar Stabile confirmed that the Netherlands forward is set to sign a contract running until 2028, reversing the Brazilian club’s earlier decision not to renew his deal because of concerns about its finances.

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The agreement follows a public dispute between Depay and the Sao Paulo club. Last week, the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid forward accused Corinthians of “unacceptable behaviour” after it withdrew a previously agreed extension to the two-year contract he signed in 2024. Stabile said resolving the situation required a lengthy process and a personal meeting with the player.

Stabile said Depay reduced the numbers involved considerably because he wanted to stay and Corinthians needed an affordable payment structure. The president did not confirm specific figures, but said the arrangement was the best outcome for the club, particularly from a financial perspective, and expressed confidence that Corinthians could meet its obligations under the new contract.

According to figures from ESPN Brasil cited by BBC Sport, Depay has agreed to waive about 21 million Brazilian reais, reported as £2.9 million, from 75 million reais owed to him by Corinthians. The remaining 54 million reais is reportedly scheduled to be paid in four instalments beginning in January 2027. The club would lose the discount if those payments are delayed.

The same report valued the new two-year agreement at a total of 135 million reais, approximately £19.1 million. Depay joined Corinthians after leaving Atletico Madrid in May 2024 and has scored 20 goals in 79 appearances. He helped the club win the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year. Corinthians are currently ninth in Brazil’s Serie A.

Depay, 32, is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer. He made three appearances at the 2026 World Cup without scoring as the Dutch team was eliminated in the last 32. His agreement with Corinthians now extends a spell that has already delivered two domestic trophies while giving the club a revised structure for its financial commitments.