The Tactical Journal

João Félix is on the brink of leaving Chelsea after a turbulent stint that saw him feature sparingly in the Premier League. Reports confirm that a deal has been agreed with Saudi Pro League giants Al‑Nassr, with an initial transfer fee of around €30 million—augmented by performance-related add-ons that could take the total valuation to approximately €50 million (£43.7 million)

Though a return to Benfica seemed likely at one point, negotiations broke down due to Chelsea’s strict financial demands. In the end, Al‑Nassr swooped in with an offer that not only matched Chelsea’s valuation but also exceeded Benfica’s proposal in permanence and speed

Félix, 25, is expected to sign a two-year contract with Al‑Nassr, keeping him in Riyadh until at least 2027. He will earn a reported €70 million over the term—that’s about €35 million per year, a salary roughly ten times what he earned at Chelsea—making him one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League

A major influence in the move was his fellow Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who personally encouraged Félix to choose Al‑Nassr. Ronaldo emphasized the potential benefits for their national team, suggesting their chemistry and playing time together could be decisive in squad selection ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

At Chelsea, Félix never fully settled—making only 12 Premier League starts in the 2024–25 season before a loan stint at AC Milan yielded modest returns. With manager Enzo Maresca making it clear he wasn’t part of future plans, Chelsea paved the way for the move, avoiding further stagnation of the Portuguese forward

The move marks the latest high-profile signing by Al‑Nassr as they continue their ambitious recruitment drive in the Middle East. With Cristiano Ronaldo as the anchor of their project, the club hopes Félix can finally unlock the consistency and impact that have so far eluded him in Europe