Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface has resumed training with Bayer Leverkusen after his potential €15 million-per-season transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr fell through......CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>.....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Boniface, who was excused from training and omitted from Leverkusen’s squad for their UEFA Champions League fixture on Wednesday, quickly took to social media to share a photo with his teammates during Thursday’s session, signaling his return to regular club activities.
Despite advanced negotiations between Leverkusen and Al Nassr, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Saudi club ultimately pulled out of the deal.
“Victor Boniface and Al Nassr, deal off,” Romano posted on X.
“The Nigerian striker won’t join the club; the deal was advanced but never completed, as Al Nassr never gave the final green light.”
Leverkusen had agreed to sell Boniface for €60 million—€10 million above their initial €50 million valuation. However, Al Nassr’s sudden withdrawal was reportedly linked to their ongoing pursuit of Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán.
According to reports, Durán was Al Nassr’s primary target, but negotiations with Villa initially stalled, prompting the club to prioritize talks with Boniface. However, fresh discussions on Wednesday saw Villa soften their stance, ultimately agreeing to sell Durán for a guaranteed €77 million plus potential add-ons.
Durán has since agreed to a five-and-a-half-year contract and is set to undergo a medical in London before finalizing his move to Saudi Arabia. Al Nassr is now racing to complete the deal before the Saudi Pro League transfer window closes on January 31, three days before the English window shuts on February 3.
With his move to Saudi Arabia now off the table, Boniface remains at Leverkusen—at least for now. The German club, which signed him for €20 million plus add-ons in the summer of 2023, remains open to selling him should a suitable offer emerge in the future.
Boniface was instrumental in Leverkusen’s double-winning campaign last season, registering 21 goals and 10 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. This season, he has scored eight goals and provided one assist in 15 games but has only just recovered from a thigh injury that sidelined him since November 2024.