New Al-Nassr president threatens Joao Felix's dream: so where does Barcelona stand?

Will the Portuguese star succeed in fulfilling his wish?

Joao Felix's return to Barcelona looks anything but straightforward. Al-Nassr want to keep the Portugal international for longer by triggering a clause that extends his contract by two more seasons.

According to "Foot Mercato", citing Spanish newspaper "Sport", Ahmed Al-Sultan, the new Al-Nassr president who took office last Tuesday as successor to Abdullah Al-Majed, wants to activate the automatic extension clause in Felix's contract, which has entered its final guaranteed year. In response, the player's entourage have started working towards a possible return to the Catalan club.

The new administration, the report says, want to hold on to Felix for the long term. They may hand him a central role in Al-Nassr's project over the coming phase, turning him into one of the team's most prominent faces as Cristiano Ronaldo advances in his career and edges gradually away from the centre of the stage.

That move could complicate the Portuguese forward's hopes of a quick return to European pitches, especially if Al-Nassr decide to pull the trigger on the extension clause in his deal.

Felix wore the Barcelona shirt during the 2023-2024 season, joining on loan from Atletico Madrid. He played 44 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists.

His form dipped at times, but Felix held onto fond memories of his time in Catalonia. He has never hidden his attachment to the club or his desire to go back.

Barcelona, according to the report, do not rank bringing the player back among their priorities for the summer 2027 window. They might still treat his return as a market opportunity, though they already have plenty of options up front.

Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo can both fill the attacking roles Felix thrives in, alongside Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon out wide.