Chelsea turn Félix exit into profit as Simons becomes top target

Benfica dream fades: Al Nassr deal takes shape

João Félix’s brief Chelsea stint may have disappointed on the pitch, but the club appear poised to extract unexpected value from his exit. According to The Athletic, Chelsea and Al Nassr have reached an agreement worth around £26.2 million upfront, with a total package that could rise to £43.7 million. The figure is strikingly high given his inconsistent form and limited impact during a brief stint at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old was permanently signed from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024 for €52 million. However, he struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, both in terms of performance and physicality. Under Enzo Maresca, Félix failed to become a central part of the team. Maresca excluded him from the Club World Cup squad and reassigned his shirt number, a symbolic severing of ties. These decisions effectively ended Félix’s time at Chelsea, not just technically but also psychologically.

No Benfica return: Saudi offer wins out

Félix had often expressed his desire to return to his former club Benfica in a bid to revive his career. “Benfica is my home. I will definitely return one day,” he told both Portuguese and European media. Portuguese outlet Record reported that Benfica had entered serious talks with Chelsea to purchase 50% of Félix’s rights for €25 million. A Bola noted that this arrangement aligned with Benfica’s financial reality and Félix’s personal wishes.

However, according to The Athletic, Al Nassr presented a much more lucrative offer and rapidly advanced negotiations. The Saudi club, which also features Cristiano Ronaldo, offered financial terms that were clearly more advantageous for both the player and Chelsea. As previously reported by Record, Benfica’s bid was limited to a 50% share in the player’s rights, while Al Nassr proposed a full transfer worth up to £43.7 million. This effectively shelved Félix’s dream of returning to Benfica, while Chelsea seized the opportunity to profit from the deal.

Milan loan factored into profit

Félix also spent the second half of the season on loan at AC Milan, where he again fell short of expectations. Even so, Chelsea secured €5.5 million from the brief arrangement. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s coaching staff were not satisfied with his physical pace and defensive transitions. Over the 2024–25 season, Félix played 41 matches across all competitions for Chelsea and Milan, scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists. However, these numbers did not fully reflect his overall impact on the game.

Should the deal with Al Nassr become official, Chelsea would have generated a total income of approximately €56 million from Félix. Given the €52 million initially spent in the summer of 2024, the club would surpass the break-even point on paper. With amortisation taken into account, Félix’s book value had dropped to around €13 million in the final year of his contract. Therefore, the sale could result in a net profit of about €10 million in Chelsea’s financial records. In recent years, the London club has mastered the art of turning unexpected exits into profitable outcomes.

Simons strategy launched: swap + cash on the table

Félix’s departure has accelerated Chelsea’s plans to reshape their attacking line. According to Goal.com, the club is in talks with RB Leipzig over a potential move for Xavi Simons, with Carney Chukwuemeka being considered as a makeweight in the deal. The report notes that the deal could involve both a player exchange and a supplementary cash fee. Leipzig are said to be asking for around €70 million for Simons.

According to Sports Illustrated, Chelsea and Simons have already made significant progress in agreeing personal terms. However, the negotiations between the clubs are not yet finalised. Leipzig’s known interest in Chukwuemeka presents a potential win-win scenario for both sides.

Xavi Simons has delivered impressive performances for Leipzig over the past two seasons. In the 2023–24 and 2024–25 campaigns, he contributed a total of 21 goals and 23 assists across all competitions, making him one of Europe’s most productive young players. With his technical quality, vision, and high output, Simons could play a central role in Chelsea’s newly evolving attacking setup. His ability to operate both in central midfield and on the left flank offers tactical flexibility to Enzo Maresca’s possession-based system. Simons’ dynamism and creativity would not just replace Félix, they would elevate Chelsea’s tactical structure with added consistency and clarity. The move aligns with Chelsea’s goal of building a young, energetic attacking unit and is seen as a strategic step towards improving balance and productivity on the pitch.