By Korede James
Victor Boniface will remain at Bayer Leverkusen after Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr ended their interest in the Super Eagles striker.
Al Nassr, the club of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, had been linked heavily with Boniface on Tuesday night, with the Saudi moneybags reportedly offering the Nigeria international €15 million per year as salary.
However, various outlets reported on Wednesday that Al Nassr, after apparently reaching a verbal agreement with both Boniface and Leverkusen, had been negotiating with Aston Villa for Colombia striker Jhon Duran.
Boniface had been left out of Leverkusen’s squad for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League home match against Sparta Prague due to the Al Nassr agreement.
Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso also confirmed that Boniface will not be leaving the club.
“He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us,” Alonso said when asked about Boniface after the 2-0 win over Sparta. “So I have to say that I am satisfied, I am happy.”
Alonso added that Boniface could play on Sunday against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
“He is comfortable here so I don’t believe that this is a big stress for him.”
Al Nassr have reported sealed a €77m deal with Aston Villa for 21-year-old Duran, while the agreement with Leverkusen for Boniface was said to be €60m.
Boniface has not played since November due to injury but had been on the bench for Leverkusen’s last two games before Wednesday.
