Al Nassr have resumed training ahead of a challenging 2025–26 campaign—marking the beginning of Jorge Jesus’ tenure as head coach—as the club looks to end its ongoing title drought. In the process of building a competitive roster, the Saudi Pro League side is reportedly on the verge of hijacking a €50 million deal for one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates on the Portugal national team.
With Jhon Duran’s departure and the futures of foreign stars like Aymeric Laporte and Otavio still uncertain, Al Nassr have approached the summer transfer window seeking attacking reinforcements. Among their top targets is a player who appeared to be headed elsewhere—until now.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Al Nassr are close to securing a deal for Portuguese forward Joao Felix. The 24-year-old was in advanced talks to return to Benfica, but the Saudi club’s late push—combined with Felix’s openness to the move—has brought the deal close to completion.
Felix has been part of both Portugal squads that won the UEFA Nations League, most recently in June 2025. After struggling to find consistency across stints with Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and AC Milan, the forward now appears ready to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia for a fresh chapter in his career in a deal around €50M, according to transfer expert Pedro Almeida.
Benfica unable to bring Felix home
Following a disappointing six-month loan at AC Milan, Joao Felix failed to establish himself once again in European soccer. Chelsea, his parent club, were determined to offload him permanently instead of entertaining another loan. Under those terms, Benfica—who sold Felix for a record €126 million in 2019—tried to bring him back but ran into major financial hurdles.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Chelsea sought to recoup the €54 million they spent to acquire Felix just a year ago. Benfica, meanwhile, were willing to offer up to €25 million for 50% of his rights. Chelsea countered with a proposal that would have required Benfica to pay an additional €15 million in 2027–28 if the player wasn’t transferred by then—along with a 50-50 split on any future sale. Those terms were well beyond what the Lisbon club could afford.
Chelsea’s high demands, coupled with Felix’s significant salary, brought talks with Benfica to a standstill. That opened the door for Al Nassr to step in. According to reports, Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo personally helped persuade Felix to embrace a new adventure in Saudi Arabia—motivated in part by his desire to secure regular playing time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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