Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League powerhouse, has unexpectedly paused their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, leaving the transfer deal uncertain.
The move had seemed all but finalized after Al Nassr and Leverkusen agreed on a €60 million transfer fee. Boniface, 24, had passed his medical and agreed to a contract worth €15 million per year, making the deal appear nearly complete.
However, reports now suggest that the transfer has stalled, despite Boniface being ready to travel to Saudi Arabia with the club's delegation. This delay seems to be due to Al Nassr’s parallel negotiations with Aston Villa’s Colombian striker, Jhon Duran.
Duran, 21, has already reached personal terms with Al Nassr, and Villa has received a €70 million bid for the forward. Meanwhile, Leverkusen is waiting for the final paperwork from both clubs, but the situation has become more complicated as Al Nassr is now uncertain whether to pursue Boniface or Duran.
Leverkusen has reportedly learned that Al Nassr is weighing both options and may only sign one of the two forwards. Boniface’s medical has been completed, and all terms were agreed upon, but no contracts have been signed yet.
Boniface’s stellar performance since joining Leverkusen in 2023, including a Bundesliga Rookie of the Year award and 21 goals in 34 appearances, made him a key figure for the club. His absence from training recently has further sparked rumors about his impending move.
With uncertainty surrounding Boniface's future, Leverkusen has already begun scouting for a potential replacement, with Brighton's Evan Ferguson being a top target. Whether Boniface will move to Saudi Arabia or remain with Leverkusen will likely be determined in the coming days.
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