Memphis Depay’s Future in Football: From Corinthians to New Opportunities

omidbasir- Memphis Depay, the international footballer from the Netherlands, was linked with a potential return to Europe last summer after Besiktas expressed interest in him. This came after a breakdown in his relationship with Corinthians, the Brazilian club he joined. Last year, the forward notably skipped training due to unpaid debts, with an outstanding amount of £625,000 in bonuses and an expectation that he would be owed £1.25 million by September 2025.

Despite these financial disputes, Corinthians were eager to extend Depay’s contract, which is set to expire in July. However, the 31-year-old is now looking to leave Corinthians in search of new challenges.

Several clubs in the Gulf region are reportedly interested in signing him, with Shabab Al-Ahli and Al-Wasl among those rumored to have made offers.

Depay made headlines in September last year by becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Dutch national team, surpassing Robin van Persie’s record of 50 goals. He expressed his pride in achieving this milestone, stating, “I’m super proud and very glad I got past Robin. I thanked everyone in the dressing room. I also want to thank old teammates like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben for their inspiration.”

The forward also addressed his critics regarding his consistency, asserting, “People often say, ‘What are we supposed to do with our striker position?’ But we actually have a striker who scores a lot of goals. I try to let my feet do the talking; they’re not going to get rid of me just yet.”

In addition to his scoring record, Depay holds the record for the most assists for the Netherlands national team, having contributed two assists in their 4-0 victory over Finland in October. Under the management of Ronald Koeman, the Dutch team easily topped their qualification group for the 2026 World Cup, winning six and drawing two of their eight matches, scoring a total of 27 goals.

As the Netherlands prepares for upcoming international matches against Norway and Ecuador in March, Depay aims to maintain his match fitness ahead of the World Cup. Last season, he started only 17 league games for Corinthians and has expressed his desire to win the World Cup before retiring, stating, “My last dream as a player? Winning the World Cup.”

Depay hopes to inspire the next generation of players, emphasizing the importance of confidence and individuality both on and off the field. He believes that a new era of players with this mindset is emerging, and he aims to contribute positively to this change.

Having scored six goals and provided three assists for Corinthians during the 2025 Brasileirao season, Depay is eager to prove his capability in one of Europe’s top leagues as he seeks to leave Brazil during the winter transfer window.

With a wealth of experience across various European leagues, Depay began his career at PSV Eindhoven before moving to Manchester United in 2015. Despite a challenging stint in England, he rediscovered his form at Lyon, later joining Barcelona and then Atlético Madrid, before his current tenure at Corinthians.