Chelsea Set to Sell Forward to Saudi Club in £43.7m Deal | OneFootball

Joao Felix Edges Towards Al Nassr Move as Chelsea Plan Squad Overhaul

Chelsea’s transfer strategy appears to be shifting up a gear this summer, with Joao Felix now on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge permanently. As reported by Sky Sports, “Al Nassr have agreed a £43.7m (€50m) deal to sign Chelsea forward Joao Felix.” The move would mark another significant Saudi Pro League signing and give Chelsea crucial financial leverage in their ongoing rebuild.

Saudi Pro League Strengthens Again

The deal, as outlined by Sky Sports, “is made up of an initial £26.2m (€30m) fee and £17.5m (€20m) in potential add-ons.” Al Nassr, led by Jorge Jesus and spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, continue to stockpile Portuguese talent. Felix’s addition is a statement of intent as they aim to win the Saudi Pro League.

Photo: IMAGO

This move follows a February loan spell at AC Milan, where Felix “scored three goals across 19 appearances.” Chelsea had re-signed the forward permanently from Atletico Madrid for around £45m after an underwhelming half-season loan in 2023. Despite his limited impact, the club now looks set to recoup nearly all of their investment, including a prior £5m loan fee from Milan.

Chelsea’s Eyes on Simons and Hato

Selling Felix is not just about trimming the squad. Chelsea’s hierarchy is preparing for further moves, with their next targets already identified. “Selling Felix will allow Chelsea to accelerate their move for RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons,” Sky Sports confirmed. They are also in “advanced talks with Ajax over a deal for centre-back Jorrel Hato.”

Chelsea are reportedly “ready to pay £44m (€50m) for Hato,” though Ajax are holding out for closer to £52m (€60m). Hato is under contract until 2028 but is believed to have told Ajax he wants to leave. With positional versatility and leadership qualities beyond his years, the 19-year-old is seen as a long-term cornerstone in defence.

Simons, meanwhile, is set to depart RB Leipzig, with two years remaining on his current deal. While Chelsea have made their interest known, he is “in demand and may wait until later in the window before moving.”

Photo IMAGO

Departures Still Expected

The Felix deal could signal the start of another exodus at Stamford Bridge. Several players who were on loan last season are expected to be sold, including Raheem Sterling, who had a difficult return from Arsenal. Other names like Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi were also loaned out and may not feature in the club’s long-term plans.

In midfield, Carney Chukwuemeka is a target for RB Leipzig after a stint at Borussia Dortmund, while Fulham are showing interest in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

One interesting subplot is the status of Christopher Nkunku. Despite his contribution to Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph, the Frenchman could also be sacrificed to pave the way for Simons.

Photo: IMAGO

Looking Ahead

This summer may yet prove pivotal in Chelsea’s reshaping. If they can fund high-quality arrivals through smart exits like Felix’s, then the club may finally gain the clarity and coherence they’ve been lacking since their 2021 Champions League win. The question now is whether their targets will come quickly enough, and whether patience will last long enough.

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For Chelsea fans, there is a strange sense of relief that Joao Felix might finally be moving on. He always looked like a player with pedigree, but his performances in blue never matched the hype. It wasn’t for lack of talent, but perhaps Chelsea were never the right fit for him tactically or stylistically.

To get close to the original £45m back from Al Nassr is frankly surprising. That money can be much better used elsewhere, particularly on Xavi Simons, who looks more dynamic and consistent. The idea of pairing him with Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández is exciting and feels like part of an actual plan.

Jorrel Hato, too, is a player fans will get behind. He’s young, versatile, and reportedly hungry to move. That kind of profile fits well with the rebuild under Enzo Maresca. While fans remain wary of another chaotic summer window, this time there seems to be more purpose behind the moves.

Still, there is scepticism. What happens with Sterling, Nkunku and Chukwuemeka? If too many are moved on, squad cohesion goes out the window. Balance is key, and fans are just hoping this doesn’t turn into another transfer binge without structure.