Have Chelsea made a transfer blunder with this Portuguese attacker?

Chelsea have agreed to the transfer of Joao Felix to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. The forward has secured a handsome salary for the next phase in his young playing career.

A fee in the region of €50 million has been agreed upon between the two clubs – €30 million up front with up to €20 million in future payments. Essential Football understands that a two-year contract will be put into effect soon.

Despite not delivering to his potential in his last few stints in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, Felix has shockingly landed a big-money move to the Middle East. At Chelsea, Felix was earning €8 million per year.

Saudi money entices another star

The Portuguese forward’s new contract with Al Nassr will fetch him more than double his annual pay at Stamford Bridge – a staggering €17.5 million per year. The amount places Felix amongst the top earners in the Saudi Pro League.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez are currently making more than Felix in the Saudi Arabian league.

Return to Benfica

During the current summer window, Felix had been widely linked with a return to his boyhood club Benfica. If reports are to be believed, the 25-year-old attacker was also in prolonged discussions with the Portuguese side.

However, when Al Nassr showed up with all guns blazing, Felix accepted the offer. A return to Benfica would require Felix to take a considerable pay cut – explaining the lengthy discussions between the two parties.

The Chelsea saga

When Felix first arrived at Stamford Bridge, he was on loan from Atletico Madrid. The forward barely left a mark or earned himself a reputation in the Premier League. Surprisingly enough, Chelsea completed a permanent transfer for nearly £45 million, with the highlight being an elongated 7-year contract.

Shockingly enough, after fulfilling just one year of his contract, Felix is on the move again. This time, trotting across the globe to join fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo at his ambitious project in the Saudi Pro League.

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