- Victor Boniface is reportedly set to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Al Nassr in a €60 million transfer deal
- Boniface missed Leverkusen’s training amid speculation that he is undergoing a medical ahead of the transfer
- Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso confirmed discussions are ongoing, but the club is reluctant to let go of their star forward
As the winter transfer window nears its end, Super Eagles star Victor Boniface has found himself at the centre of a high-stakes footballing saga.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward, whose performances have dazzled in the Bundesliga, is now being lured by the riches of Saudi Arabian football, with Al Nassr reportedly tabling a lucrative €60 million offer for his services.
While the potential move is making headlines, one of the most intriguing aspects of the deal is the staggering salary increase the Nigerian forward stands to receive if he signs for the Saudi club. Reports indicate that Boniface could earn €15 million per year at Al Nassr, a figure that dwarfs his current salary at Leverkusen.
At the German club, Boniface has seen his wages rise significantly since his arrival from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023.
Initially earning €3 million per year, the Nigerian international secured an improved contract worth €6 million annually following his impressive performances. However, even with this raise, his potential Saudi wages would still be 2.5 times higher than what he currently earns at Leverkusen.
Should the move materialise, Boniface would become the highest-paid Nigerian footballer, surpassing Victor Osimhen’s reported €12.8 million salary at Napoli in 2022/23. Such a payday would place him among the top African earners in football.
Despite the financial allure, the move remains complicated for Bayer Leverkusen, who are reluctant to lose their star striker mid-season as they push for the Bundesliga title. Coach Xabi Alonso recently acknowledged the ongoing transfer discussions, stating:
"There is this situation, and I understand that. There are discussions with the club. We have to wait. We’re preparing for the game without Boni, of course."
Additionally, Boniface has been sidelined due to injury following surgery after Nigeria’s final AFCON qualifier against Rwanda, although he was already getting fit to start training but it now seems unlikely that the Nigerian star will don the red and black shirt in the forseeable future.
With a €9 million salary difference at stake, Boniface faces a career-defining decision, to stay in Germany and continue his rise in Europe or cash in on a life-changing deal in Saudi Arabia.
Boniface hits milestone on Instagram but faces heartache in love
Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface experienced a bittersweet start to the year, celebrating a significant milestone on Instagram while dealing with the end of his four-year relationship with Norwegian influencer Rikke Hermine Jensen.
The couple’s breakup became evident after they unfollowed each other on social media, with Jensen removing almost all her Instagram posts.
