Chelsea star set to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo in £45m transfer after just 20 appearances

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Joao Felix is set to end his permanent spell with Chelsea after Al Nassr lodged a bid worth around £45million.The Portugal star was the subject of an offer from former club Benfica, but the Saudi Pro League side have now outbid them.Felix’s second Chelsea spell is set to be ended earlyGettyTalks have advanced over the weekend and Felix could now join his international captain Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.This will come as a blow to Benfica with president Rui Costa keen on the deal.“If we could bring back players from our academy who have the quality and prominence that a player like Joao has, we would all like that,” he said. “All Benfica fans would like that.“The amounts involved, both in transfers and salaries, are very high and we have to respect that part.”The potential of playing alongside his Portugal teammate in a World Cup year will boost his own hopes of attending the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.The 25-year-old first joined the Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in January 2023, making 16 Premier League appearances.He then had a year-long spell at Barcelona, where he managed 10 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions.That inspired the Blues to swoop again last, this time in a £42million permanent switch, which saw him sign a seven-year contract in west London.In the first half of the campaign he played 20 times but was then loaned to AC Milan.Felix would have likely been named on the Chelsea bench for the City clashGettyAnd now he’s set to move on from Stamford Bridge as he attempts to reignite a faltering career.He burst onto the scene at Benfica as an 18-year-old in 2018 and a season later was sold for a stunning £113m to Atletico Madrid.It made him the second most expensive teenager in history, behind Kylian Mbappe, and he took on club legend Antoine Griezmann’s No.7 shirt after he left for Barcelona.Eventually, though, after plenty of ups and downs in the Spanish capital he decided on quitting the club for his initial Chelsea move and his struggles have been apparent ever since.Felix is on the way out of the Premier League as Chelsea bolster their squad, particularly in attacking areas.The club have already made significant additions, including two new strikers.Estevao is heading to Chelsea with huge expectation on his shouldersAFPLiam Delap arrives from Ipswich, while Joao Pedro joins from Brighton.Meanwhile, in wide areas, Jamie Gittens and Brazilian wonderkid Estevao have completed their moves to the Blues.Another player who could exit after this £162m haul of forwards is Christopher Nkunku.He had injury issues at the start of his career and impressed last season in the UEFA Conference League, scoring seven in 11 appearances.However, he is now surplus to requirements and has been on the radar of Bayern Munich this summer.