Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles forward, is back in training with Bayer Leverkusen after his highly anticipated move to Al Nassr fell through. The proposed transfer, which would have earned him a whopping €15 million per season, was called off, and Boniface wasted no time in sharing a photo of himself back in training with his teammates on Thursday.
Boniface had been excused from training and was not included in the match-day squad for Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday, fueling speculation about his potential move to Al Nassr. However, it appears that the Saudi Pro League side had a change of heart and instead opted to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa for a staggering €77 million.
Leverkusen’s sporting managing director, Simon Rolfes, confirmed that Boniface would be staying with the club, stating that “there have been talks, but we are happy that he will be training with us today. I assume that he will stay”.Rolfes also emphasized that Boniface is an important player for the team and that they are happy to have him back in training.
Boniface’s return to training is a welcome boost for Leverkusen, who are currently gearing up for their next Bundesliga outing against Hoffenheim on Sunday. With Boniface’s impressive goal-scoring record, including eight goals in 15 games across all competitions this season, Leverkusen will be hoping that he can help them mount a challenge for the title.
“Victor Boniface and Al Nassr, deal off,” Romano posted via X.
The Nigerian striker won’t join the club; the deal was advanced but never done as Al Nassr never gave the final green light.”
Leverkusen were going to be paid €60m, €10m more than their asking price of €50m for the player if the transfer was successful.
Al Nassr’s decision to abandon their pursuit of Victor Boniface stems from their long-standing interest in Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. According to reports, Duran was always Al Nassr’s top choice, but they were forced to prioritize negotiations with Boniface due to Villa’s initial reluctance to sell Duran. However, after renewed talks on Wednesday, Villa’s stance softened, and they agreed to sell Duran to Al Nassr for a staggering €77 million plus add-ons.
With Duran set to join Al Nassr on a five-and-a-half-year deal, Boniface will now continue with Bayer Leverkusen, at least until another suitable offer arises. Leverkusen is open to selling Boniface, whom they acquired for €20 million plus add-ons in the summer of 2023. Despite his impressive performances, including 21 goals and 10 assists in 34 games last season, Leverkusen is willing to let him go if the right offer comes along.
Boniface has already shown his value to Leverkusen this season, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 15 games across all competitions. Having recently recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out since November 2024, Boniface will now focus on helping Leverkusen achieve their goals. As the transfer window draws to a close, Boniface’s future may be subject to further speculation, but for now, he remains a key player for Leverkusen.
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