In a dramatic twist to this summer’s transfer window, Al-Nassr are reportedly on the brink of securing a sensational £44 million deal to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix from Chelsea. The Saudi Arabian giants, who have been aggressively building their squad with high-profile names, are said to be finalizing negotiations that would bring the talented attacker to the Saudi Pro League.
Joao Felix, who initially joined Chelsea on loan from Atlético Madrid, had a mixed spell at Stamford Bridge. While he showed flashes of brilliance with his quick feet and technical flair, inconsistency and Chelsea’s managerial changes left him unable to cement a long-term role at the club. Now, with Chelsea undergoing a significant rebuild under their current leadership, Felix appears to be deemed surplus to requirements.
Al-Nassr have made no secret of their ambition to attract elite-level talent to Saudi Arabia, and the addition of Felix would further enhance their already star-studded squad, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Marcelo Brozović. The Portuguese connection with Ronaldo could be a major factor influencing Felix’s decision, as the veteran striker is rumored to have spoken directly with Felix about the club’s project.
According to sources close to the negotiations, Al-Nassr are proposing a permanent transfer rather than a loan, with the deal set at around £44 million. This fee is seen as favorable by both parties, with Chelsea eager to offload the player and generate funds for new reinforcements. For Felix, the move could mark a fresh start and a chance to revive his once-blazing reputation.
Felix’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster since his £113 million move from Benfica to Atlético Madrid in 2019. Touted as one of Europe’s brightest young prospects, his time in Spain was filled with promise but never fully materialized into consistent stardom. A combination of tactical mismatches under Diego Simeone and injuries stalled his growth, prompting the loan to Chelsea last season.
While Europe’s top clubs have shown occasional interest, the financial packages and guaranteed playing time offered by Saudi clubs have turned heads across the continent. Felix, still only 24, may be viewing this move as a temporary shift — an opportunity to regain confidence and showcase his abilities in a less demanding, yet highly competitive environment.
Chelsea’s willingness to part ways with the attacker is not surprising. With the Blues focusing on building a younger, more physical squad under a long-term project, players like Felix, who require specific systems and freedom, no longer fit the club’s strategy. Letting go of a high-earner like Felix also helps balance the wage structure, a key element in Chelsea’s Financial Fair Play considerations.
From a footballing perspective, Felix’s potential arrival in the Saudi league is another sign of the country’s rapidly growing football project. Clubs like Al-Nassr are not only signing aging stars but also targeting players in their prime. This evolution suggests a shift from marketing-based signings to long-term, competitive team-building.
Should the deal go through, Felix will be joining a league that’s rapidly gaining global attention. His creativity, agility, and flair would add a new dimension to Al-Nassr’s attack and possibly allow him to link up brilliantly with Ronaldo in a Portuguese partnership that fans will be eager to witness.
Though critics may question his move to the Middle East at such a young age, the truth is that Felix needs consistent minutes, a stable environment, and perhaps even a tactical reset. If he thrives at Al-Nassr, a return to European football in a few years’ time is still well within reach.
As the transfer nears completion, an official announcement is expected soon. Until then, the football world watches closely, wondering if Joao Felix is about to light up Saudi Arabia the way many once expected him to light up Europe