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Memphis Depay has accused Corinthians of going back on an agreement to extend his contract.
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The Netherlands forward described the club’s decision as “unacceptable” and vowed to protect his interests.
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Corinthians said financial concerns forced them to abandon plans to keep the 32-year-old forward.
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Depay leaves after helping the Brazilian club win two domestic trophies during his spell.
August 12, (THEWILL) — Memphis Depay has launched strong criticism of Corinthians after the Brazilian club decided against extending his contract, claiming the club reneged on an agreement that had already been reached.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward became a free agent after Corinthians withdrew from a proposed contract extension, despite Depay insisting that the renewal had already been approved by several senior figures within the club.
Depay said the agreement had been discussed and accepted by Corinthians’ president as well as officials from the sporting, legal and financial departments.
However, he claimed that some individuals subsequently decided not to honour the arrangement, leaving him frustrated by the manner in which the situation unfolded.
“This renewal was explicitly agreed upon by the president as well as the sporting, legal and financial departments”, Depay said in a statement shared on social media. “Some people decided, however, to breach this engagement.”
The Netherlands international made it clear that he was not prepared to simply walk away from the dispute.
“I didn’t want this situation and always respected the club throughout the process, but now I am forced to react strongly in order to preserve my interests”, he added.
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Depay also warned that he intends to provide further details about the disagreement.
“In the upcoming days I will speak publicly but rest assured that I will not leave this unacceptable behaviour unsanctioned.”
The dispute brings an unexpected end to Depay’s time in Brazil after he joined Corinthians in 2024 following his departure from Atletico Madrid.
During his spell with the Sao Paulo club, the 32-year-old made 79 appearances and scored 20 goals.
He also played an important role in Corinthians’ success, helping the club win the Copa do Brasil in 2025 before adding the Supercopa do Brasil to his honours earlier this year.
Corinthians, however, offered a different explanation for the breakdown in negotiations.
The club said its decision was driven by financial considerations and argued that committing to another major contract would put unnecessary pressure on its finances.
According to Corinthians, extending Depay’s stay was no longer compatible with the financial stability required to protect the club’s long-term future.
The Brazilian side described the decision as difficult but necessary, while confirming that club president Osmar Stabile is expected to address the matter at a press conference in the coming days.
The dispute leaves Depay searching for a new club at a time when his international future has also come under scrutiny.
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Depay remains the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, but he endured a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.
The forward failed to score in three appearances as the Netherlands were eliminated in the last 32, adding another difficult moment to a year that has now ended with uncertainty over his club future.
For now, Depay’s immediate focus will be finding his next destination while waiting for Corinthians to respond to his allegations.
The Dutch forward’s comments suggest the disagreement is unlikely to disappear quietly, with both sides expected to give their accounts of what happened during the failed contract negotiations.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
