"Who brought them to this state?": a legal warning that terrifies Al-Nassr over Felix's contract

The world player races against time!

Joao Felix's future remains clouded in doubt. Conflicting accounts have emerged over Al-Nassr's stance on activating the extension clause in the Portuguese star's contract, along with the legal restrictions that could complicate the Saudi club's calculations.

Legal consultant Ahmed Al-Shaikhi has shed light on Felix's situation, explaining that the extension clause in his contract is "unilateral (from Al-Nassr's side) and not automatic". In other words, triggering the option demands a decision from the club rather than the simple fulfilment of the renewal conditions.

He explained that for the clause to be valid and irrevocable, it requires an increase in the player's annual salary of no less than 20%, and that the extension period be proportionate to the length of the original contract, conditions that are currently met.

Another condition, according to the Saudi legal expert, is that the player gives "acceptance separate from the original transfer agreement with Chelsea".

Speaking to the programme "Nadina", Al-Shaikhi said the extension conditions are already in place, but Al-Nassr's management must move quickly to activate the clause before the winter transfer window.

He warned of the legal risks arising from Al-Nassr's delay in settling its position, pointing out that continued waiting could open the door to complications over the player's contractual rights.

On X, he wrote: "The longer Al-Nassr delays in activating the renewal clause for the player Joao Felix, the greater the legal risk of losing the player, so as to cut off the opportunity for the player to back out, as some arbitrators at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) are very sympathetic to a player who is denied the right to negotiate in the last 6 months of his contract", noting that Felix's contract ends in June 2027.

Al-Nassr drafted the extension clause well, he added, in a way that makes it binding on the player. That does not negate the need for the management to move and activate it at the appropriate time.

Sources had earlier confirmed to Kooora that Al-Nassr had moved to activate the extension clause in Felix's contract until the summer of 2029. Barcelona want the player back, and his agent Jorge Mendes is working to arrange a move to the Catalan club.

Al-Nassr media figure Bandar Al-Dabikhi has since cast doubt on the renewal of Joao Felix's contract. With reports conflicting over the activation of the extension clause, he insists the final decision rests with the club's owner, the Public Investment Fund, as the party responsible for providing the money needed to complete the deal.

According to Al-Dabikhi, the situation is growing more complicated given the oversight imposed on Al-Nassr and what he described as weak sponsorships. He asked: "Who brought Al-Nassr to this state?".

This is bigger than simply keeping one of the team's stars. Al-Nassr's board must weigh the timing of activating the clause, the financial obligations that come with it, and whether they can settle the file before the player enters the window that lets him negotiate with other clubs. So, will they pass the test?