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Exclusive
- 53 minutes ago
Chelsea flop Joao Felix to join ex-Arsenal star at 'trillion-dollar team'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 27 Jun 2025 21:23 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea outcast Joao Felix and former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette are being targeted by NEOM SC.
The Saudi club, who have been promoted to the Pro League, are regarded as one of the world's richest teams as they are officially backed by the government's eponymous NEOM project.
The Saudi side currently hail from the small town of Tabuk, but they will be relocated to the planned city of NEOM once construction on this trillion-dollar undertaking finishes.
Compared
João Félix
F (L), M (C)
Milan
João Félix
F (L), M (C)
Milan
VS
Alexandre Lacazette
F (C)
Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette
F (C)
Lyon
|
|
ETV |
|
| €22.9M - €28M | ETV Range | €3.6M - €5.4M |
| 25 years old (10 Nov, 1999) | Age | 34 years old (28 May, 1991) |
|
Portugal
|
Nationality |
France
|
After achieving promotion, and with seemingly limitless funds at their disposal, NEOM are set to be backed in the market to turn them into a competitive Pro League side worthy of representing one of the Saudi government's biggest projects.
According to L'Equipe, NEOM are on the verge of signing former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette on a two-year contract, with a full agreement already said to be in place. Lacazette will arrive on a free transfer as his Lyon contract expires on 30 June.
NEOM want Felix
Not as advanced but equally genuine is NEOM's interest in Chelsea flop Joao Felix, according to talkSPORT. The Blues are looking to offload the Portugal international just a year after signing him in a seemingly pointless €52 million deal.
Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan after failing to break into Chelsea's starting lineup, but he failed to impress in Serie A, which is becoming a common theme for the 25-year-old.
Felix has rarely been able to live up to the hype since breaking through at Benfica, and he also disappointed at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. He has been linked with a return to Lisbon, with the club making no secret of their desire to bring him back.
It is, however, unclear whether a deal is financially feasible for Benfica. NEOM, on the other hand, have no such concerns, although their interest in the attacking midfielder has yet to progress beyond an initial stage.
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