- Victor Boniface will remain at Bayer Leverkusen despite transfer speculation linking him to Al-Nassr
- Xabi Alonso and sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed that the Nigerian striker is not leaving in January
- Instead, Al-Nassr has chosen to sign Jhon Dhuran from Aston Villa in a reported €77 million deal
For weeks, speculation swirled around Victor Boniface’s future at Bayer Leverkusen, with reports linking the Nigerian striker to a lucrative move to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
However, Leverkusen’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, and sporting director Simon Rolfes have now put an end to the rumours, confirming that the club’s prized forward is going nowhere.
Boniface, who missed Leverkusen’s 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague in the Champions League, had been the subject of intense transfer speculation. His absence from the squad further fuelled talks of an imminent exit, but Alonso wasted no time in dismissing such claims,
"He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us, he is comfortable here, so I don’t believe this is a big stress for him," Alonso told reporters after the European fixture.
Rolfes reiterated Alonso’s stance, stating the club’s confidence in retaining their top scorer. "There have been talks, but we are happy that he will be training with us today. I assume that he will stay," he stated, according to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Boniface’s impact at Leverkusen
Since joining from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023, Boniface has established himself as a vital player in Leverkusen’s attack. His contributions in front of goal have played a significant role in the club’s rise under Alonso.
The Nigerian forward was instrumental in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph last season, scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists across all competitions. His attacking prowess also helped the team secure silverware in the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup.
In European competition, Boniface has proven just as crucial. With six goals in 11 appearances across the Champions League and Europa League, his performances have placed him among Europe’s most efficient finishers.
No exit, but what next?
While Boniface’s commitment to Leverkusen remains strong, the club’s firm stance may have ripple effects elsewhere, especially with Al-Nassr.
Notably, Al-Nassr has agreed to sign Jhon Dhuran from Aston Villa in a reported €77 million deal.
For now, though, Leverkusen fans can breathe a sigh of relief, Boniface is staying put, ready to fire the Bundesliga champions toward more success.
From Bundesliga to Big Money: How Victor Boniface’s salary at Leverkusen compares to Al Nassr’s
Previously, TheRadar reported that Super Eagles star Victor Boniface is now being lured by the riches of Saudi Arabian football, with Al Nassr reportedly tabling a lucrative €60 million offer for his services.
Reports indicate that Boniface could earn €15 million per year at Al Nassr, a figure that dwarfs his current salary at Leverkusen.