João Félix set for Saudi switch with Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus pulling the strings | OneFootball

Al Nassr are on the verge of finalising a deal for João Félix, a player once identified as a transfer target by Flamengo, according to Lance. The Saudi club, where Jorge Jesus recently took the helm, are set to sign Félix for €30 million, with the approval of both the Portuguese coach and Cristiano Ronaldo playing key roles in pushing the deal forward.

Flamengo’s previous interest in Félix, which peaked in May 2025, was documented as part of sporting director José Boto’s ambitions. The negotiations did not progress and eventually fell through, leaving the Portuguese attacker to continue his European trajectory. Félix, now 24, was widely regarded as a dream signing by Flamengo’s management, but the financial and competitive demands of the deal were always likely to be a major obstacle.

Félix’s career, which began with a breakout period at Benfica, saw him move to Atlético de Madrid in 2019 for €126 million. Despite displaying early promise in Spain, Félix struggled to fully establish himself under Diego Simeone and spent periods on loan at Chelsea and Barcelona. Most recently, he played for Milan on loan.

According to Lance, the move to Al Nassr represents a significant shift away from European competitions for Félix, whose technical qualities and early potential generated high expectations across the footballing world. The transfer is being facilitated as a direct request by Jorge Jesus, who recently assumed the managerial role at Al Nassr and is seeking to reshape the squad after taking charge. The report also notes that Cristiano Ronaldo, the team’s marquee player, has encouraged the move, making the Saudi club an attractive destination.

For Flamengo, the Félix pursuit underlines an aggressive approach in the transfer market, although it also highlights the complexities of competing with European and increasingly with Middle Eastern financial powerhouses. Despite missing out on Félix, Flamengo’s efforts to bolster their squad have continued with recent domestic and international arrivals, aiming to maintain their status as one of South America’s leading clubs.

(Sources: Lance)