In a remarkable twist of football finance, Chelsea are set to pocket a significant windfall from a player they sold just last summer. Al Nassr’s dramatic 4-1 victory over Damac on the final day of the Saudi Pro League season not only clinched the title for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side but also triggered performance-related clauses that will see Chelsea receive £4 million.
Al Nassr secured only their second league title in the last decade — and their first since the 2018-19 campaign — after seeing off strong challenges from Al Hilal, Ivan Toney’s Al Ahli, and Brendan Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiyah, who finished fourth. The triumph was powered by a star-studded squad featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Joao Felix.
Felix’s Stellar Season Triggers Add-On
Portugal international Joao Felix joined Al Nassr from Chelsea last summer in a deal worth an initial £26.2 million, with potential add-ons taking the total value up to £43.7 million. The former Atletico Madrid and Benfica star has enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Saudi Arabia, contributing to an incredible 45 goals across all competitions.
According to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah, Al Nassr inserted title-winning clauses into the contracts of both Felix and Kingsley Coman. As a result of the league success, Chelsea are due approximately £4 million, while Bayern Munich will receive around £1 million for Coman.
For Chelsea, this unexpected £4 million injection comes as a welcome financial boost, especially given the club’s history with the player.
The Felix-Chelsea Saga
It was only two years ago that Chelsea paid around £50 million to bring Felix to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid. His time in West London proved inconsistent. After an initial loan spell in the second half of the 2022-23 season, followed by a year at Barcelona, he returned to Chelsea on a permanent basis. In total, Felix made 40 appearances for the Blues, scoring 11 goals and providing 2 assists.
Six months after his permanent arrival in London, Chelsea sanctioned his departure to Al Nassr. While his output in Saudi Arabia has been exceptional, the drop in competitive standard makes direct comparisons difficult.
Did Chelsea Make the Right Call?
This is the question many Chelsea supporters will be asking. On one hand, Felix struggled for consistency during his time at the club and never fully convinced under multiple managers. On the other, there is a sense that he was never truly given the sustained run of games and tactical stability needed to flourish in a Chelsea shirt.
At his best, Felix is a technically gifted, intelligent forward capable of creating and scoring goals at the highest level. His current form in Saudi Arabia — playing with freedom and confidence — highlights the kind of dynamic, creative attacker Chelsea could use in their current squad.
The £4 million bonus does not change the overall narrative of the transfer, but it does soften the financial blow. Chelsea recouped a significant portion of their investment through the initial sale and now benefit again through the add-on. However, the long-term footballing question remains: was a rejuvenated, title-winning Felix a player they should have kept?
Al Nassr’s hierarchy will be celebrating a major domestic success despite their enormous wage bill. For Chelsea, the news is far less emotional — simply a smart, quiet financial victory tucked away in the small print of a previous transfer.
In the unpredictable world of modern football economics, sometimes even the players who leave can still deliver for their former clubs. This time, Joao Felix has done exactly that.