Why Flamengo walked away from Brazil's boldest transfer | OneFootball

Memphis Depay’s journey to Corinthians was nearly a different South American tale. The Dutch striker, now one of the high-profile names at the São Paulo club, was initially offered to Flamengo last year, according to Frederico Carvalho, an intermediary involved in the discussions. Carvalho told Rádio Bandeirantes that Memphis’s “priority was always Flamengo,” driven by both sporting ambition and a personal connection—Depay has a tattoo of the Christ the Redeemer after his Brazil World Cup experience.

Flamengo, however, balked at Memphis's financial requirements. The proposed package included a tax-free salary of R$2 million per month, a signing-on fee of €4 million (about R$25 million), and a contract spanning 27 months. When factoring in various bonuses and incentives, total monthly outlay could have risen to R$4 million. Memphis also sought performance bonuses for each goal scored in domestic and international competitions—between R$200,000 and R$400,000 per goal—as well as additional rewards for national team call-ups or goals.

While Flamengo’s leadership hesitated on the numbers, Corinthians monitored Memphis’s situation closely. Carvalho recounted that the São Paulo side appeared decisive, reaching out frequently and sharing news that new sponsorship revenue was available to bankroll a marquee signing.

Ultimately, Flamengo chose to pause negotiations, indicating they would first secure three other player arrivals. In contrast, Corinthians accelerated talks, and the deal that materialized in September 2024 mirrored the structure originally presented to Flamengo. According to reporting, the contract between Memphis and Corinthians could see the operation’s total value hit R$120 million, making it one of the heftiest agreements in recent club history.

Carvalho noted his own role as a local go-between, but emphasized that negotiations with Corinthians were managed by Depay’s official representative, Sébastien Ledure. Corinthians themselves have stated that they coordinated directly with Ledure, distancing themselves from intermediary claims.

Memphis's move comes as Corinthians navigate both on-field and financial pressure. Still, the club's willingness to commit to a substantial investment in a player of Memphis’s calibre signals both ambition and a readiness to take calculated risks—a combination that ultimately separated their approach from Flamengo’s more cautious stance.

Source: Globo