Former Man United flop misses training amid 'row with Brazilian club over unpaid bonuses with the 50-goal international star still owed £625,000'

Daily Mail​

11-07-2025

A former Manchester United star has seemingly found himself embroiled in a rift with his current team over unpaid bonuses - but insists he still wants to remain at the club.
The player was absent from training on Wednesday, which understandably sparked speculation over his future with his Brazilian club, before returning the following day for clear the air talks.
In those discussions the former Premier League forward - who is one of the most important players at Corinthians - made it clear that despite the disagreement, he is still keen to stay at the Sao Paulo-based outfit.
The club announced in an official statement: 'Corinthians informs that athlete Memphis Depay reported to CT Joaquim Grava this Thursday morning, where he met with Corinthians' acting president, Osmar Stabile, football executive Fabinho Soldado, and coach Dorival Júnior.
'During the meeting, the athlete justified his absence and expressed his desire to remain at Corinthians. After taking the necessary measures, the presidency treats the matter as resolved.'
Brazilian outlet GE states that Depay will receive a fine for his behaviour, having skipped training without being excused from his duties.
It is unclear what justification Depay brought forward for his absence from Wednesday's training session.
But, with the club keen to hold on to their star player, a portion of the outstanding amount owed to him has been paid in order to show good faith, the report continues.
However, according to GE, the club still owes the Dutch international some £626,510 (R$4.7million).
It adds that the club had been a day late in paying players and staff this week, with the company that manages the security of Depay also receiving their payment late.
Since joining Corinthians, Depay has managed an impressive 13 goals and 14 assists in 42 outings, having joined on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2024.
He is also one goal away from becoming the outright top-scorer for the Netherlands in their history, tied with Robin van Persie on 50, having played the exact same number of games (102).
However back in May he was at the centre of a mass on-pitch brawl after some show-boating gone wrong.
Corinthians played host to Palmeiras in the second leg of the final of the Campeonato Paulista, the highest level of league football in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo.
After a 1-0 victory in the first leg, Corinthians just needed to keep the game goalless in the final stages to secure their record-extending 31st title, and their first since 2019.
As the clock ran down, Depay received the ball in the corner from a short free kick.
Seemingly not content with simply shielding the ball from an on-rushing defender, the Dutch international proceeded to stand on it with both feet in a brazen display of showboating.
The move only served to infuriate the opposition players, with two Palmeiras stars crunching in to challenge Depay, knocking him over in the process, and within seconds a mass brawl had broken out.
There was much pushing and shoving between players and substitutes for both teams, with Depay seen tussling among the melee. The brawl continued for several minutes and added to what was an already ill-tempered and dramatic clash between the two arch-rivals.
Corinthians defender Felix Torres had already been sent off for two yellow cards, while Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira was also dismissed, shortly before Raphael Veiga missed a penalty to level the tie for his side.
The brawl only continued the drama, with the officials quickly responding by sending off Corinthians midfielder Jose Martinez and veteran Palmeiras goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba for their involvement in the ensuing melee.
This was despite neither Martinez or Lomba being on the pitch at the time of the incident. When order was eventually restored, Corinthians held onto their aggregate lead in the closing seconds to claim the title.