Corinthians in Advanced Talks to Sign Former Sporting Midfielder Zakaria Labyad

Corinthians is reportedly in advanced negotiations to secure the signing of Zakaria Labyad, the 32-year-old Moroccan midfielder and former Sporting CP player. According to reports from Globoesporte, Labyad is currently a free agent, which is facilitating discussions between the player and the Brazilian club as they look to bolster their squad.

Labyad's career has seen him play for several notable clubs across Europe and Asia. He began his professional journey in the PSV Eindhoven youth academy, where he was a contemporary of Memphis Depay. The midfielder then went on to represent clubs such as Utrecht and Ajax in the Netherlands before moving to Chinese football. Most recently, he was with Dalian Yingbo, where his contract ended at the close of 2025, making him available on a free transfer.

During his time at Sporting CP in the 2012/2013 season, Labyad made 27 appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His experience in Portuguese football and his offensive capabilities are seen as valuable assets by Corinthians, who are currently prioritizing the signing of a midfielder in this transfer window. The club is undergoing a period of financial prudence, and Labyad's salary expectations reportedly align well with Corinthians' cost-cutting measures.

In recent seasons, Labyad has demonstrated consistent performance. In 2024, he featured in 31 matches, scoring six goals and assisting nine times. The following year, he appeared in 25 games, contributing six goals and four assists. These statistics highlight his ability to influence the attacking phase of play, which could complement the existing midfield options at Corinthians, including Rodrigo Garro and Breno Bidon.

Interestingly, Labyad maintains a connection with Memphis Depay, who publicly encouraged him to consider a move to Brazil by commenting on one of his social media posts in August 2025 with the message, "Come to Brazil, brother." This personal link adds an intriguing dimension to the potential transfer.

Should the deal be finalized, Labyad's arrival would represent a strategic addition to Corinthians' midfield, potentially enhancing their creativity and offensive threat. The club's next steps will likely focus on completing the negotiations and integrating the player into the squad ahead of upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Corinthians will continue to monitor their position in the league and assess further transfer market opportunities as the window progresses.