Joao Felix’s hopes of returning to European football and rejoining Barcelona have been complicated by a clause in his contract with Al Nassr.
The Portugal forward is keen to return to Europe after his spell in Saudi Arabia and has identified Barcelona as his preferred destination. Felix previously played for the Catalan club on loan during the 2023-24 season.
However, 365Scores reports that his agreement with Al Nassr gives the Saudi club the unilateral right to extend his contract. The extension could be activated without requiring Felix to sign a new deal, provided the conditions set out in the original agreement are met.
Those conditions reportedly cover the length of the extension, the financial compensation involved and the deadline by which Al Nassr must exercise the option. The clause would give the club a mechanism to retain the forward beyond the summer of 2027.
Al Nassr’s management is expected to meet Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, soon to discuss the player’s future and the possibility of extending his stay, according to 365Scores.
Sport reports that 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 wishes, but a reunion is not currently considered a priority. The Portuguese forward generally starts matches from the left side and tends to move into central areas, but he would be behind Gordon and Karim Adeyemi in the club’s current thinking for that position.
The profiles of Gordon and Adeyemi are understood to fit more closely with what Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is seeking on the left.
