DONE DEAL: João Félix Joins Al Nassr from Chelsea for €30m Plus Add-ons
Al Nassr have successfully hijacked Benfica’s move for João Félix, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the deal with his famous “here we go” announcement. The Portuguese forward is now authorized to fly for his medical and join the Saudi Arabian giants for an initial fee of €30 million plus add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano dropped the bombshell earlier today: “Al Nassr agree deal to sign João Félix from Chelsea, here we go!” The transfer expert confirmed that the player has been authorized to fly for his medical and complete the move to Saudi Arabia.
The deal structure includes an initial transfer fee worth €30 million plus add-ons, along with a heavy sell-on clause designed to meet Chelsea’s €50 million valuation in the future. Romano also confirmed that paperwork is being prepared between all parties.
This represents a complete U-turn from what looked like a done deal with Benfica just days ago. Al Nassr’s financial muscle has proven decisive in convincing both Chelsea and the player to change course.
Benfica Dreams Shattered
The Portuguese giants had been confident of bringing their former academy graduate back home, with João Félix himself expressing his preference for a return to Lisbon. However, Al Nassr’s offer proved too good to refuse for all parties involved.
Benfica simply couldn’t compete with the financial package Al Nassr put on the table. The Saudi club’s willingness to pay €30 million upfront, plus significant add-ons, made this an easy decision for Chelsea from a business perspective.
The emotional pull of returning to his boyhood club wasn’t enough to overcome the financial reality. João Félix will now be playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo instead of fulfilling his dream of a Benfica homecoming.
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Smart Deal Structure
Chelsea have negotiated cleverly in this transfer, ensuring they don’t lose out completely on their investment. The heavy sell-on clause means they could still reach their €50 million valuation if João Félix moves again in the future.
The initial €30 million fee helps Chelsea recoup a significant portion of what they paid Atlético Madrid for the Portuguese international. When combined with the potential add-ons and sell-on clause, this becomes acceptable business.
For Al Nassr, paying €30 million upfront shows their serious intent to compete for major trophies. They’re getting a player who was valued at €50 million by Chelsea, but at a reduced initial cost due to the clever deal structure.
Medical and Paperwork
With Romano confirming that João Félix is authorized to fly for his medical, the final formalities are now just a matter of time. The paperwork is being prepared between all parties, suggesting this could be officially announced within hours.
The medical examination will take place in Saudi Arabia, where João Félix will undergo comprehensive fitness tests before signing his contract. This represents the final hurdle before he becomes an Al Nassr player.
The speed at which this has moved from advanced talks to “here we go” shows how determined Al Nassr were to get their man. Their decisive action has paid off in landing one of Europe’s most talented forwards.
Cristiano Connection
Playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly a factor in João Félix’s decision to join Al Nassr. The chance to learn from Portugal’s greatest ever player and compete for trophies in Saudi Arabia proved appealing.
The two Portuguese stars have a good relationship from their time together with the national team. Ronaldo’s presence at Al Nassr undoubtedly helped convince João Félix that this move could benefit his career.
Having two of Portugal’s biggest stars at the same club will create huge excitement among Al Nassr fans and raise the profile of the Saudi Pro League even further.
Chelsea’s Relief
From Chelsea’s perspective, this deal solves a major problem. João Félix never quite fitted into their system under Enzo Maresca, and his high wages were becoming a burden on their budget.
The €30 million fee, combined with removing his salary from their wage bill, provides significant financial relief. This money can now be reinvested in players who better fit Maresca’s tactical plans.
Chelsea had been considering various options for João Félix, but Al Nassr’s intervention has provided the cleanest solution. A permanent sale with a good fee and future protection through the sell-on clause represents ideal business.
Saudi Pro League Statement
Landing João Félix represents another major coup for the Saudi Pro League in their quest to attract world-class talent. Adding him to a roster that already includes Ronaldo, Benzema, and other top players shows their serious ambitions.
The league’s ability to hijack deals from traditional European powerhouses demonstrates their growing influence in the transfer market. When they want a player, they have the financial resources to make it happen.
This signing will generate massive global attention and further establish the Saudi Pro League as a destination for elite players who might previously have stayed in Europe.
What Went Wrong at Chelsea
João Félix’s time at Chelsea never quite worked out as anyone hoped. Despite showing flashes of his undeniable talent, he struggled to find consistency and failed to establish himself as a key player.
His loan spell at AC Milan in the second half of last season was supposed to rebuild his confidence, but even there he couldn’t quite recapture his best form. Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs.
The move to Saudi Arabia gives him the chance to be a star player again, free from the tactical constraints and intense scrutiny he faced in European football.
New Chapter Begins
At 25, João Félix is still young enough to make this Saudi adventure work before potentially returning to European football later in his career. The financial security this move provides gives him options for the future.
The heavy sell-on clause in his contract means that if he rediscovers his best form in Saudi Arabia, a return to Europe remains possible. This isn’t necessarily the end of his story at the highest level.
For now, though, he can focus on enjoying his football again in a less pressurized environment while earning excellent money and playing alongside some of the world’s best players.
With the medical scheduled and paperwork being prepared, Al Nassr could officially unveil João Félix as their player within the next 24-48 hours. The club will want to maximize the publicity around such a high-profile signing.
