{"id":295462,"date":"2025-07-27T08:50:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T08:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295462\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T08:50:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T08:50:13","slug":"joao-felix-blocks-liverpool-stars-move-as-he-agrees-44m-deal-to-leave-chelsea-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/295462\/","title":{"rendered":"Joao Felix blocks Liverpool star&#8217;s move as he agrees \u00a344m deal to leave Chelsea | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2220827794.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23761623\" alt=\"Portugal v Spain - UEFA Nations League 2025 Final\" decoding=\"sync\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tJoao Felix has agreed a deal to leave Chelsea (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/chelsea-fc\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chelsea<\/a> are set to sanction <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/joao-felix\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joao Felix<\/a>\u2019s transfer exit after the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/portugal-football-team\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portugal<\/a> forward agreed a deal with Al Nassr.<\/p>\n<p>Felix and Chelsea had been in <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/24\/46m-chelsea-imposter-set-transfer-move-club-take-huge-financial-blow-23742784\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">advanced talks with Benfica<\/a> but the 25-year-old has snubbed his boyhood club in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<p>By joining Al Nassr \u2013 in a deal worth around \u00a344m \u2013 Felix will link up with his international teammate <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/cristiano-ronaldo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a> in Saudi.<\/p>\n<p>Felix is one of a number of players Chelsea have put up for sale this summer along with the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson.<\/p>\n<p>The former Atletico Madrid star enjoyed a promising loan spell at Stamford Bridge during the 2022-23 season before Chelsea <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/08\/21\/chelsea-announce-permanent-signing-joao-felix-atletico-madrid-21454427\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">signed him on a permanent transfer last summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tGet personalised updates on Chelsea every day\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro\u2019s Football Newsletter. <\/p>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/newsletters\/football-newsletter\/?ito=football-article&amp;signup-source=football-article-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up to our newsletter<\/a> and then select your team in the link we\u2019ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea spent \u00a345m to bring Felix back to west London but Enzo Maresca showed little faith in him in the first-half of the season before he was <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/10\/joao-felix-pushed-hard-swap-chelsea-ac-milan-22529035\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sent out on loan to AC Milan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Felix hoped to revive his career in Serie A but continued to struggle, forcing AC Milan to <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/03\/06\/ac-milan-make-decision-permanent-joao-felix-transfer-deal-chelsea-22678309\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">change their plans and reject the chance to sign him permanently<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2177095053.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23761697\" alt=\"Chelsea FC v Nottingham Forest FC - Premier League\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tEnzo Maresca has sanctioned Felix\u2019s transfer exit (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n<p>Despite his struggles, Felix still had admirers at Benfica and his boyhood club were in advanced talks to bring him back to the club.<\/p>\n<p>But <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2MV_ichB1og\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fabrizio Romano<\/a> says Al Nassr have quickly and successfully hijacked the move and are on the verge of agreeing a deal with Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p>Felix has already given the green light to the transfer as he is keen to link up with Portugal legend Ronaldo and will be handed a lucrative contract.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2213936748.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23761699\" alt=\"Al Nassr v Al Ittihad - Saudi Pro League\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tFelix will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n<p>The permanent transfer will block Liverpool forward Luis Diaz\u2019s move to Saudi Arabia, though the Colombian could still be heading away from Anfield with <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/25\/bayern-munich-make-approach-sign-man-utd-star-luis-diaz-alternative-23750393\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bayern Munich ready to make another transfer approach<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Diaz is <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/15\/luis-diaz-sends-clear-message-liverpool-reds-reject-latest-bid-23667774\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keen to leave the Premier League champions<\/a> and was in talks with Al Nassr before the Saudi giants settled on Felix.<\/p>\n<p>After selling Felix, Chelsea will turn their attentions to other unwanted players including Nkunku, Sterling and Jackson.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t<img width=\"594\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2226811017.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23761703\" alt=\"Liverpool Pre-Season Training\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/><br \/>\n\t\tAl Nassr are signing Felix instead of Luis Diaz (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n<p>Like Diaz, Nkunku has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Chelsea have <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/christopher-nkunku\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">slashed his asking price as they look to drum up interest in the French striker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sterling has been <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/25\/chelseas-premier-league-rivals-enter-race-sign-20m-raheem-sterling-23748925\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">linked with a move to Chelsea\u2019s west London rivals Fulham<\/a> following his dismal loan spell at Arsenal.<\/p>\n<p>Jackson, meanwhile, looks set to be sold after Chelsea brought in attacking players Joao Pedro and Liam Delap earlier in the summer.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea have already raised over \u00a350m by <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/24\/declan-rice-makes-shock-prediction-new-arsenal-teammate-noni-madueke-23741413\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">selling England winger Noni Madueke to Arsenal<\/a>, with Kepa Arrizabalaga also joining the Gunners for a much lower fee.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of further incoming signings, Chelsea <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/24\/ajax-respond-34m-chelsea-bid-sign-jorrel-hato-23738403\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remain interested in Manchester United outcast Alejandro Garnacho and Ajax defender Jorrel Hato<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea endured a worrying blip under Maresca last season but ended the campaign superbly, qualifying for the Champions League and <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/28\/real-betis-vs-chelsea-live-europa-conference-league-final-latest-score-goal-updates-23270562\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">winning the Conference League<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The Blues then <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/13\/donald-trump-slammed-ruining-chelseas-club-world-cup-trophy-presentation-23654435\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">defied expectations at the Club World Cup<\/a>, winning the controversial tournament ahead of the likes of PSG and Real Madrid.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea have two pre-season friendlies \u2013 against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan \u2013 before starting their <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/06\/18\/chelsea-premier-league-2025-26-fixtures-full-schedule-new-season-23440275\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025-26 Premier League campaign on August 17 against London rivals Crystal Palace<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>For more stories like this,\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/sport\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/sport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on<br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sportmetro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Metro_Sport\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/metrosportuk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"comment-now metro-button metro-comments-cta\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tComments<br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/27\/ruben-amorim-hails-new-manchester-united-signing-west-ham-win-23761346\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruben Amorim hails new Manchester United signing after West Ham win<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/27\/rio-ferdinand-tells-manchester-united-make-60m-signing-failed-arsenal-transfer-23760423\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United to make \u00a360m signing after failed Arsenal transfer<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\">Arrow<br \/>\nMORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/07\/26\/bryan-mbeumo-ruled-manchester-united-friendly-vs-west-ham-23760095\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bryan Mbeumo ruled out of Manchester United friendly vs West Ham<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Joao Felix has agreed a deal to leave Chelsea (Picture: Getty) Chelsea are set to sanction Joao Felix\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":295463,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[1121,748,6274,6275,393,1367,94,4884,882,179,763,1127,8902,101,93,6278,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-295462","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-arne-slot","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-chelsea-fc","11":"tag-chelsea-transfer-news","12":"tag-england","13":"tag-enzo-maresca","14":"tag-football","15":"tag-great-britain","16":"tag-joao-felix","17":"tag-liverpool","18":"tag-liverpool-fc","19":"tag-liverpool-transfer-news","20":"tag-luis-diaz","21":"tag-premier-league","22":"tag-sport","23":"tag-transfer-news-and-rumours","24":"tag-uk","25":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114924344228372853","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295462","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295462"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295462\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/295463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295462"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=295462"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=295462"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}