At Al-Nassr, uncertainty surrounds whether to activate João Félix’s contract extension clause. A legal consultant has warned that continued delay could create legal risk.
Terms of the extension clause
Legal consultant Ahmed Al-Sheikhi described the clause as “unilateral (from Al-Nassr's side) and not automatic”. According to Ahmed Al-Shaikhi, its validity and irrevocability require an increase of no less than 20% in the player’s annual salary and an extension period proportionate to the original contract’s duration; those conditions are currently met.
Another condition, according to the Saudi legal expert, is that the player has separate acceptance from the original transfer agreement with Chelsea.
Contract expiry and legal risk
João Félix’s contract expires in June 2027. Writing on his X account, Ahmed Al-Shaikhi said: “The longer Al-Nassr delays activating the renewal clause for the player Joao Felix, the greater the legal risk of losing the player, in order to cut off the opportunity for the player so that he does not back out. Also, some arbitrators of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) sympathise greatly with a player who is denied the right to negotiate in the last 6 months of his contract”
Ahmed Al-Shaikhi said Al-Nassr worded the extension clause in a way that makes it binding on the player.
Barcelona’s interest
Barcelona want João Félix back, and his agent Jorge Mendes is working to arrange a move to the Catalan club.
Question from Al-Nassr’s media figure
Al-Nassr media figure Bandar Al-Dubaikhi, who has cast doubt on the reality of João Félix’s renewal, asked: “Who brought Al-Nassr to this state?”
