Chelsea are on the verge of waving goodbye to Joao Felix, the 25-year-old Portuguese star who has struggled to find his feet at Stamford Bridge. In a blockbuster move, Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr are poised to secure his signature for a hefty €50million (£43.7m) package, potentially pairing him with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in a tantalizing attacking duo. The deal, comprising €30m (£26.2m) upfront and €20m (£17.5m) in add-ons, marks the end of a turbulent chapter for Felix at Chelsea, where he managed just 20 appearances across all competitions.
Felix’s journey with the Blues began with a loan spell in 2023, followed by a permanent £44.5m move in August 2024. However, his time in West London never quite ignited. A loan stint at AC Milan in the second half of the 2024-25 season, where the Serie A giants covered his wages and paid a £4.8m fee, highlighted his struggles to secure a regular starting spot under manager Enzo Maresca. Despite expressing openness to staying in Italy, no permanent deal materialized. Back at Chelsea, Felix’s limited impact—clocking just 364 Premier League minutes and missing out on the Club World Cup squad—sealed his fate as surplus to requirements.
The transfer fee, bolstered by interest from Felix’s former club Benfica, allows Chelsea to recoup nearly their entire investment on a player whose contract runs until 2030, with an option for an extra year. This financial windfall is set to fuel Chelsea’s pursuit of RB Leipzig’s dynamic 22-year-old attacker Xavi Simons. The Dutch international, who joined Leipzig for £43m (with up to £26m in add-ons) after loan spells from PSG, is reportedly open to a Stamford Bridge switch following Leipzig’s failure to secure Champions League football. Initial talks with Simons’ representatives signal Chelsea’s intent to bolster their attack further, having already splashed £60m on Joao Pedro and £30m on Liam Delap this window.
Chelsea’s transfer strategy is shifting gears, with a clear focus on trimming deadwood. Alongside Felix, the Blues are keen to offload Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, ensuring they don’t leave outgoings until the last minute. Felix’s meager return of three Premier League starts, three in the Conference League, one in the FA Cup, two in the League Cup, and 11 substitute appearances underscores his struggle to adapt to Maresca’s system.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are doubling down on their ambitions. Having extended Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract and appointed veteran Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, the Saudi side see Felix as the final piece in their attacking jigsaw for the 2025-26 campaign. The prospect of Felix linking up with Ronaldo could spell trouble for Saudi Pro League defenses, as Al-Nassr aim to reclaim their title-contending form.
As Chelsea pivot to new targets like Simons, the departure of Felix—along with recent sales like Noni Madueke to Arsenal for £52m—signals a ruthless reshaping of their squad. Even Christopher Nkunku, signed for £52.7m just two years ago, could be on the chopping block, with Maresca admitting the Frenchman’s future is uncertain. For Felix, the Saudi move offers a fresh start after a disappointing spell in London. For Chelsea, it’s a chance to move on from a high-profile gamble that never quite paid off.