Memphis Depay has publicly endorsed his Corinthians teammate Breno Bidon as a "special" talent, insisting the Arsenal-linked midfielder must depart Brazilian football to realize his "enormous potential." The 20-year-old central midfielder has emerged as one of Brazil's most exciting prospects following his instrumental role in Corinthians' Copa do Brasil victory last season and his contribution to Brazil's record 13th South American Under-20 Championship win in early 2025.
European Interest Intensifies for Brazilian Prodigy
Bidon's standout performances have attracted significant attention across Europe, with top clubs in Italy and Portugal monitoring his situation closely. Premier League leaders Arsenal have reportedly held preliminary talks with Corinthians to "seek information" regarding Bidon's availability, signaling serious interest in the young star. Within Brazil, Flamengo is also known to admire the player, though a move abroad appears increasingly likely.
Corinthians Preparing for Inevitable Departure
Corinthians are reportedly resigned to losing Bidon to a bigger club and have already begun identifying potential replacements, with Wolfsburg's Vinicius Souza topping their wishlist. According to ESPN Brasil, the Brazilian club would be willing to negotiate a transfer if they receive an offer around R$150 million (£20.8 million) for their prized asset. Bidon remains under contract with Corinthians until December 31, 2029, having joined the club at Under-17 level.
Depay's First-Hand Assessment of Bidon's Talent
Memphis Depay, who joined Corinthians from Atletico Madrid in September 2024, has witnessed Bidon's rapid development firsthand. The Netherlands international emphasized that any club securing Bidon's signature would acquire a player with both the talent and mentality to reach the highest levels of the sport.
"I talk to him a lot, he's very intelligent," Depay told SporTV in Brazil. "He has great potential. He's young, but very talented. He works hard, is focused, and has a strong mentality. He's a special player, he needs to leave Brazil, not now, but soon. He also needs to be called up to the Brazilian national team. He has enormous potential, he's very good."
Bidon's National Team Aspirations and Team Support
There are growing calls for Bidon to receive a senior Brazil national team call-up, a dream the midfielder openly acknowledges. "It's a childhood dream to play for the national team," Bidon explained. "I was able to be a champion with the Under-20 team and it was already an immense pride to wear the Brazilian jersey. I dream about the national team every day, of course, but I have to keep working because we know that the level of the national team is very high."
Bidon credited his Corinthians teammates for their support in his development, stating, "We have a group that has helped me a lot to reach this level. Everything they've helped me with, I certainly wouldn't have improved without them. Many guys who, day-to-day, might not seem like it, but are phenomenal. We are a very united group."
Corinthians' Stance on Bidon's Future
Despite the transfer speculation, Corinthians are in no rush to sell Bidon. Head coach Dorival Junior recently emphasized the midfielder's importance to his plans, telling reporters, "He's a very important player and if I'm being honest with you, I wouldn't like to lose any player. We need to find balance so we can have a strong squad throughout the year. That is our biggest challenge."
As the transfer window approaches, Bidon's future remains a topic of intense discussion, with Depay's comments adding weight to the argument that a move to European football could be crucial for the young Brazilian's career trajectory.
