Victor Boniface’s Al Nassr move crumbles as Saudi club opts for Jhon Duran

Victor Boniface’s proposed move from Bayer Leverkusen to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr has fallen through, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Despite advanced negotiations, Al Nassr ultimately decided against finalising the deal.

Romano confirmed on Wednesday night via X: “Victor Boniface and Al Nassr, deal OFF. Nigerian striker won’t join the club, deal was advanced… but never done as Al Nassr never gave final green light.”

Instead, the Saudi Pro League side opted to sign Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran in a €77 million deal, including add-ons, with a medical scheduled for Friday.

Earlier reports suggested that Leverkusen had agreed to a €60 million fee for Boniface, with a lucrative salary package of around £15 million per year in Saudi Arabia. However, the move failed to materialise.

Boniface was left out of Leverkusen’s squad for their UEFA Champions League clash against Sparta Prague on Wednesday, a match they won 2-0 to advance to the tournament’s Round of 16.

Having recently returned from a hamstring injury, the 24-year-old has been in fine form this season, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions.

With the January transfer window closing, Boniface is now expected to be a key target for top European clubs in the summer, with Chelsea among those reportedly monitoring his situation.