Memphis Depay has reached an agreement to extend his stay at Corinthians, accepting a significant reduction in his wages just days after the Brazilian club appeared set to part ways with him.

The Netherlands striker — who previously represented Manchester United and Barcelona — had publicly criticised Corinthians last week, labelling the club's decision to withdraw a previously agreed two-year extension as "unacceptable behaviour." The original deal had been signed in 2024.

Corinthians president Osmar Stabile confirmed the resolution, stating that Depay had reduced his financial demands "significantly" to secure a new contract running until 2028 with the São Paulo club.

"Everything's fine but it was hard work. Obviously, you can't get an international star done very quickly — it was a lengthy process but everything worked out. We did what was best for Corinthians, especially in financial terms," Stabile said.

The financial details

According to ESPN Brasil, Depay agreed to waive approximately R$21m (£2.9m) of the R$75m (£10.6m) the club owed him. The new two-year deal carries a total value of R$135m (£19.1m), with the remaining debt of R$54m (£7.6m) to be settled in four instalments beginning in January 2027. Should Corinthians delay any payment, they would forfeit the agreed discount.

Stabile acknowledged the scale of the concession Depay made: "He reduced it significantly. I don't want to discuss numbers but he made a considerable reduction because of the circumstances, because of his desire to stay, and because Corinthians needed to find a way to pay. I believe we can afford this contract."

Depay's impact at Corinthians

The 32-year-old has scored 20 goals in 79 appearances for the club, contributing to their Copa do Brasil triumph in 2025 and their Supercopa do Brasil title this year. Corinthians currently sit ninth in Brazil's Serie A.

The club's initial reluctance to renew stemmed from financial concerns, but the deal was ultimately salvaged after Depay's willingness to compromise proved decisive.

On the international stage, Depay remains Netherlands' all-time leading goalscorer. However, he endured a difficult 2026 World Cup, failing to find the net in three appearances as his country exited in the last 32.