Corinthians outlines strategy to circumvent transfer ban and hire Wesley

WHAT HAPPENED

UOL found that, since negotiations for the attacker gained strength behind the scenes, settling the outstanding issues has once again become a financial priority for the board. The regularization of punishments is essential for the deal to be concluded.

Until then, Corinthians had been directing resources to other financial commitments, mainly debts related to the squad. As there was no prospect of seeking reinforcements in this window, the club chose to leave the resolution of transfer bans in the background.

Now, the scenario has changed. With the concrete possibility of hiring Wesley, the pending issues with FIFA returned to the top of the board's list of priorities.

The internal understanding is that, after paying off the debt with Talleres, from Argentina, relating to the signing of midfielder Rodrigo Garro, which cost around R$36 million, the remaining cases started to involve amounts more compatible with the club's cash flow and less complex negotiations. Currently, Corinthians has two active transfer bans.

The first punishment was applied in May for a debt of US$1.5 million (R$7.7 million, at current prices) with the Philadelphia Union, from the United States. The charge refers to non-payment of installments for the hiring of midfielder José Martínez, carried out in 2024.

The second transfer ban was imposed by FIFA this Monday. The punishment stems from the non-payment of approximately US$200,000 (just over R$1 million) in fines imposed on Corinthians for recent convictions. These fines are related precisely to the processes that generated or may still generate other transfer bans.

In addition to the debt with the Philadelphia Union, this list includes the conviction in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a debt of 1 million euros (R$ 5.86 million, at current prices) with Midtjylland, from Denmark, regarding the signing of midfielder Charles, also in 2024, and the process involving New York City for non-payment of loan fees for striker Talles Magno, who played for the club between 2024 and 2025. In the latter case, already there is a conviction at FIFA, and the case was taken to CAS for judgment in a definitive court.

As Corinthians had no defined targets in the market until then and prioritized the sale of assets in the transfer window that will open next week, the board strategically chose to prioritize other debts instead of overturning transfer bans. The internal assessment was that this stance also helped to reduce speculation about possible reinforcements and reduced the volume of players being offered by agents and intermediaries.

The situation, however, changed with Wesley's progress in conversations. Without space at Al-Nassr and also at Real Sociedad, in Spain, where he is on loan, the striker is negotiating a return to Brazilian football. Among those interested, the player placed Corinthians as a priority, ahead of clubs such as Cruzeiro and Grêmio.

UOL found that Cruzeiro came close to moving forward with the signing, but reduced the pace of negotiations after realizing Wesley's preference for Corinthians. The Minas Gerais club, however, does not consider itself out of contention and is monitoring the situation, mainly because of transfer bans that still prevent Timão from registering athletes.

To return to the club that revealed him, Wesley demonstrated a willingness to reduce his salaries and adapt to Corinthians' financial reality. The deal is treated with optimism by the parties, also because the striker brings together characteristics considered ideal by coach Fernando Diniz since his arrival at the club.

The idea is that Wesley will be loaned to Corinthians. The club would bear part of the salaries, while Al-Nassr was willing to take on another portion of the salaries.

The player himself also agrees to reduce part of the values to make the agreement viable. Despite progress in talks, negotiations depend on the lifting of transfer bans to be effectively concluded.

NEGOTIATION TO OVERTHROW PUNISHMENTS

In parallel with the negotiations for Wesley, Corinthians is holding talks with the Philadelphia Union to find a way to pay the debt in installments and end the transfer ban without significantly compromising cash flow.

The situation involving the second transfer ban is different. As the punishment is linked to the payment of fines imposed by FIFA, the possibility of paying in installments is considered more difficult.

Internally, however, the value is seen as more accessible for payment in cash. The assessment is that the removal of this punishment depends exclusively on the payment being made.

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