Memphis Depay Accepts Pay Cut to Stay at Corinthians Until 2028

Memphis Depay has agreed to reduce his financial demands and remain with Corinthians on a contract running until 2028, according to BBC Sport. The agreement follows a difficult round of negotiations in which the Brazilian club had initially decided not to renew the Netherlands forward's deal because of concerns about its finances.

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Corinthians president Osmar Stabile confirmed that Depay made a significant reduction after a personal meeting helped break the impasse. Stabile said the process had been lengthy because of the player's international profile, but added that the outcome was the best available arrangement for the club, particularly from a financial standpoint.

The resolution comes only days after Depay criticised Corinthians for what he called unacceptable behaviour. The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid forward said the club had withdrawn an extension that had previously been agreed as part of the two-year contract he signed in 2024. The new terms now keep the 32-year-old in Sao Paulo for another two years.

BBC Sport, citing ESPN Brasil, reported that Depay has agreed to waive about 21 million Brazilian reais, approximately £2.9 million, from roughly 75 million reais owed to him. The remaining 54 million reais is reportedly scheduled to be paid in four instalments beginning in January 2027. Under the reported arrangement, Corinthians would lose the discount if those payments are delayed. Stabile did not publicly confirm the figures but said the reduction was considerable and reflected both Depay's desire to stay and the club's need to find an affordable structure.

Depay has scored 20 goals in 79 appearances for Corinthians. He helped the club win the Copa do Brasil in 2025 and the Supercopa do Brasil this year, providing an established attacking presence for a side currently ninth in Brazil's Serie A. The renewed agreement ends the immediate uncertainty over whether he would continue with the club.

At international level, Depay is the Netherlands' all-time leading goalscorer. He did not score in three appearances at the 2026 World Cup, where the Dutch team was eliminated in the last 32. His club future is now settled, with Corinthians retaining a prominent player while restructuring the financial obligations attached to his stay.