Victor Boniface’s proposed move to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Nassr has fallen through after the club opted to sign Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran instead. The Riyadh-based club secured the Colombian striker in a high-profile €77m deal, including add-ons, effectively ending their interest in the Nigerian forward.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that negotiations for Boniface had been progressing well, with a Saudi delegation stationed in Germany since Monday to finalize the terms. However, Al Nassr ultimately decided not to proceed with the deal, bringing the transfer talks to a halt.

In a swift change of direction, the club turned their attention to Duran and successfully negotiated a deal with Aston Villa. The 21-year-old forward has reportedly agreed to personal terms and is set to sign a long-term contract. His medical is scheduled for Thursday, after which he will officially join Al Nassr, linking up with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte.

Boniface’s Situation at Bayer Leverkusen
Al Nassr had initially engaged with Bayer Leverkusen regarding Boniface, with the Bundesliga club reportedly valuing him at €50m. Anticipating the move, Boniface had been excused from Leverkusen training earlier this week as negotiations advanced. Reports suggested he had even undergone a medical, hinting that the deal was close to completion.

However, with the sudden change in plans, Boniface now finds himself in an uncertain position. The 24-year-old, who joined Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 for €20m, had recently extended his contract with the club until 2029, making him one of the highest earners in the squad.

Having enjoyed a standout debut season with Leverkusen—scoring 21 goals and assisting 10 in 34 appearances as the club secured a historic Bundesliga and German Cup double—Boniface’s 2024-25 campaign has been marred by injuries. He has made just 15 appearances, scoring eight goals, before a thigh injury sidelined him in November.

With his move to Saudi Arabia now off the table, Boniface will return to Leverkusen’s training sessions and refocus on his role with the club as they defend their Bundesliga title and pursue European success.