Deborah Akinyosoye
Saudi Arabian Professional League club, Al Nassr, has officially opened transfer talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Victor Boniface.
This was confirmed in a post shared on X by Italian journalist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on Monday.
“Understand Al Nassr have started official talks for Victor Boniface as new striker!,” Romano wrote.
“Negotiations are underway with Bayer Leverkusen for the Nigerian striker to replace Talisca. The other candidate is Jhon Durán, but Aston Villa still insists on keeping him at the club.”
The news of Boniface being linked with a move to Al Nassr comes as a surprise, particularly after reports emerged last week that Leverkusen had extended his contract.
According to Sky Germany, the 24-year-old’s contract had been extended by another year, until 2029, with the Super Eagles attacker set to receive a significant salary increase.
Boniface’s new deal with Leverkusen reportedly includes a pay rise, doubling his previous salary of €3 million to €6 million per year (approximately N9.5 billion).
However, the report added that a sale is still possible following earlier links with Manchester United. It is believed that the former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise star would cost at least €50 million (£42 million/$52 million), which is understandable given his age and impressive statistics.
Boniface has scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists in 49 games for Leverkusen across all competitions.
Having moved from USG to Leverkusen in 2023, Boniface had an impressive season at the Belgian club, scoring 17 goals and contributing 12 assists in 51 appearances.
Boniface has been sidelined since November due to a thigh injury, missing 12 games across all competitions. He made his return to the squad in Leverkusen’s 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last Wednesday, but was an unused substitute.
He was also on the bench during Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig in a Bundesliga game at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday.