Chelsea star teams up with Cristiano Ronaldo in £45m transfer after just 20 appearances

Joao Felix has completed his £45million switch to Al Nassr to bring an end to his one-year stay at Chelsea.

The Portugal star was the subject of an offer from former club Benfica, but the Saudi Pro League side outbid the Primeira Liga giants.

Talks advanced over the weekend and Felix has now linked up with international teammates Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr after passing his medical.

In a message to his new fans, Felix, who is now the fourth most expensive player in history when adding up his career transfers, said: “I’m here to spread joy. Let’s win together.”

Felix’s transfer will come as a blow to Benfica with president Rui Costa keen on the deal.

“If we could bring back players from our academy who have the quality and prominence that a player like Joao has, we would all like that,” he said.

 “All Benfica fans would like that.

“The amounts involved, both in transfers and salaries, are very high and we have to respect that part.”

Playing alongside Portugal skipper Ronaldo in a World Cup year will surely boost Felix’s own hopes of attending the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 25-year-old first joined the Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in January 2023, making 16 Premier League appearances.

He then had a year-long spell at Barcelona, where he managed 10 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions.

That inspired the Blues to swoop again last summer, this time in a £42million permanent switch, which saw him sign a seven-year contract in west London.

In the first half of the campaign he played 20 times, but was then loaned to AC Milan.

He will now be looking to reignite his failing career after leaving Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis.

Felix burst onto the scene at Benfica as an 18-year-old in 2018 and a season later was sold for a stunning £113m to Atletico Madrid.

It made him the second most expensive teenager in history, behind Kylian Mbappe, and he took on club legend Antoine Griezmann’s No.7 shirt after he left for Barcelona.

Eventually, though, after plenty of ups and downs in the Spanish capital he decided on quitting the club for his initial Chelsea move and his struggles have been apparent ever since.

With Felix now out the Chelsea door, they will now continue to bolster their frontline with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho eyed up.

The club have already made significant additions, including two new strikers.

Liam Delap arrives from Ipswich, while Joao Pedro has joined from Brighton.

Meanwhile, in wide areas, Jamie Gittens and Brazilian wonderkid Estevao have completed their moves to the Blues.

Another player who could exit after this £162m haul of forwards is Christopher Nkunku.

He had injury issues at the start of his career and impressed last season in the UEFA Conference League, scoring seven in 11 appearances.

However, he is now surplus to requirements and has been on the radar of Bayern Munich this summer.