Al Nassr move could delay Joao Felix’s hoped-for Barcelona return

Joao Felix’s hopes of returning to Barcelona could be complicated by a new attempt from Al Nassr to keep the Portugal forward in Saudi Arabia for two more seasons.

According to Foot Mercato, citing Spanish newspaper Sport, Al Nassr president Ahmed Al Sultan wants to activate the automatic extension clause in Felix’s contract. Al Sultan took over as the club’s new president last Tuesday, replacing Abdullah Al Majed.

Felix’s guaranteed contract has entered its final year, but the extension clause would allow Al Nassr to retain him for a further two seasons. The club’s new administration is understood to be keen to keep the player on a long-term basis and could offer him a central role in its plans for the coming period.

The proposed move would also see Felix become one of the leading figures at Al Nassr as Cristiano Ronaldo progresses further into his career and gradually moves away from the forefront of the team’s project.

Any decision to trigger the extension could make it more difficult for Felix to return to European football in the short term. The player’s representatives have already begun preparing for the possibility of a return to Barcelona, where Felix spent the 2023-2024 season on loan from Atletico de Madrid.

During that campaign, he made 44 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. Although his form was inconsistent at times, Felix retained positive memories of his time in Catalonia and has continued to show an attachment to Barcelona and a desire to play for the club again.

However, Barcelona are not currently considering Felix’s permanent return to be a priority in the summer 2027 transfer market, according to the report. The club could still view a possible move as an opportunity if circumstances make it available, but it already has several options in the attacking positions occupied by the Portugal international.

Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo can operate in roles suited to Felix, while Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon provide further options on the flanks.

The situation therefore leaves Felix facing competing possibilities: a potentially expanded role at Al Nassr if the extension is activated, or a return to Barcelona that remains desirable to the player but is not currently a central part of the Catalan club’s transfer plans.