How a late-night gamble changed Corinthians’ season | OneFootball

Memphis Depay’s move to Corinthians stands out as one of the most unconventional transfer stories in recent Brazilian football. As revealed by Tiago Maranhão, the club’s director of communications, the idea to pursue the Dutch international emerged during a particularly challenging phase last season, when the team was flirting with relegation and desperate for solutions.

In a candid recounting, Maranhão described how club leadership – president Augusto Melo, then-secretary-general Vinicius Cascone, and then-finance director Pedro Silveira – initiated a late-night brainstorming session following a tough defeat to Fortaleza. Frustrated by consistent setbacks on the pitch, they decided to think outside the box and leverage newfound sponsorship backing to chase an atypical signing. Eschewing the standard scouting circles, the group turned to online player databases in search of free agents with star power.

It was during this internet trawl that Memphis Depay’s name surfaced. By chance, they found the contact of his agent on a website and decided to make an approach despite the improbability. “It was around 6 a.m. in Brazil – the agent was in Germany. We just sent an email introducing ourselves and expressing interest in Memphis,” Maranhão explained. The response was prompt but cautious: “Is this for real?” After confirming their intentions, club representatives even sent a picture and arranged to speak by video. There was urgency, as the transfer window was closing and Corinthians needed to act fast.

The pursuit paid off. Depay was officially presented on September 9, soon after negotiations began. Since joining, he has had a significant impact in attack, featuring in 40 matches, scoring 13 goals, and contributing 14 assists. His performances were instrumental in the club’s successful Paulista campaign this season.

The gamble to look globally – and unorthodoxly – for top talent, prompted by a period of crisis, has proven timely given ongoing injury challenges. Depay currently remains sidelined with an ankle injury, missing recently key fixtures as Corinthians continue to battle on multiple fronts, including the Copa do Brasil. But when fit, the Dutch forward has delivered crucial returns, justifying the club’s bold approach at a critical juncture in their recent history.

Source: Globo