Joao Felix’s Barcelona return threatened by Al Nassr contract clause

Joao Felix’s hopes of returning to Barcelona have been complicated by a clause in his contract with Al Nassr that could allow the Saudi Arabian club to extend his stay unilaterally.

The Portugal forward is keen to return to European football after his time with Al Nassr and has identified Barcelona as his preferred destination, according to Sport. Felix spent the 2023-2024 season on loan at the Catalan club.

However, 365Scores reports that his agreement with Al Nassr contains a provision giving the club the option to prolong the contract without requiring the player to sign a new deal.

The extension can be activated only if the conditions set out in the contract are met. Those terms cover the length of the additional period, the financial compensation involved and the deadline by which the clause must be exercised.

As a result, Al Nassr have a contractual mechanism that could enable them to retain Felix beyond the summer of 2027.

The report adds that Al Nassr’s management plan to meet Jorge Mendes soon to discuss the Portugal international’s future and whether he will remain with the club.

Sport, meanwhile, says Mendes is believed to have informed Barcelona of his client’s desire to return to Camp Nou as a free agent.

Barcelona are aware of Felix’s preference, but his return is not currently regarded as a priority. The forward, who generally begins matches from the left before moving inside, would be behind Gordon and Karim Adeyemi in the club’s current thinking for that position.

Their profiles are considered a closer match for what manager Hansi Flick is looking for on the left, making a move for Felix more difficult even if his contractual situation with Al Nassr is resolved.

Felix’s potential return therefore depends on two separate factors: whether Al Nassr decide to use their extension option and whether Barcelona revise their present stance on adding him to their squad.