Al Nassr Secures Joao Felix from Chelsea
Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League powerhouse, is set to enhance their squad by securing Joao Felix from Chelsea for a comprehensive fee of approximately €50 million (£43.7 million; $58.7 million). The agreement, finalized recently, includes an upfront payment of €30 million (£26.2 million; $35.2 million), supplemented by an additional €20 million contingent upon performance incentives.
Background on Joao Felix’s Career
This transfer aligns with reports from July 22, which detailed Chelsea’s valuation of Felix, who had attracted interest not only from notable clubs in Portugal but also from other teams in Saudi Arabia. In a notable chapter of his career, Felix had spent the latter part of the 2024-25 season on loan at AC Milan. During that time, the Serie A team covered his wages and paid a loan fee of €5.5 million, though they did not secure an option to purchase him on a permanent basis.
Loan Arrangement and Performance
Chelsea confirmed that this loan arrangement, which lasted until June 1, allowed Felix to participate in the Club World Cup, yet he was ultimately omitted from the squad traveling for the summer tournament. The 25-year-old forward originally returned to Chelsea in August 2024 from Atletico Madrid for £44.5 million ($58 million) after initially joining them on loan during the latter half of the 2022-23 season.
Despite his potential, Felix started only three matches in the Premier League before his loan move to Milan. Following his time in Italy, he expressed eagerness to potentially extend his stint there if the chance arose. In total, during his tenure at Milan, Felix made 21 appearances, netting three goals and providing an assist, while the club suffered an early exit from the Champions League and ended the Serie A season in eighth place.
Contract and Chelsea’s Transfer Activity
Felix is under contract with Chelsea until 2030, with an option for an additional year. Chelsea has been proactive in the current transfer window, bringing in new attacking talents such as Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Estevao to bolster their roster. On the domestic front, Al Nassr concluded the last Saudi Pro League campaign in third place, trailing champions Al Ittihad by 13 points.
