Boniface Leaving Bayer Leverkusen – Alonso
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface is closing in on a move to Saudi Arabian club side, Al Nassr.
According to reports in Germany, Boniface is set for a move to Al Nassr to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, for a transfer fee in excess of 50 million euros ($52 million).
Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 18 months ago for 20 million euros.
He has scored 29 goals and laid on 11 assists in 49 matches for the club, but has not played since picking up a hamstring injury on international duty in November.
He missed training ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Sparta Prague to enable him concentrate on talks with the Saudi based club.
Alonso confirmed that talks are ongoing between Bayer Leverkusen, and Al Nassr for Boniface.
He said: “There are discussions with the club and we need to wait. We’re preparing without Boni.
“We will see. We need to wait a bit more but our preparation is with the rest of our squad who are ready and fit and in good shape at the moment.
“It’s the last Champions League game and that’s our focus.
“I’m very satisfied with the squad and with our quality… and will be (at the end of the window).”
Leverkusen may not have a problem in replacing Boniface, Patrik Shick has provided goals for the club in the absence of the Nigerian striker with 13 goals in his last nine games.
Before his injury in November, Boniface scored eight goals in 15 games in all competitions. Last season, he netted 14 goals in 23 league appearances to finish as their top scorer and played a pivotal role in securing Leverkusen’s first Bundesliga title.
A delegation from Al Nassr is in Germany to accelerate the talks before the Saudi Arabia transfer deadline on Thursday.
Al Nassr are currently in the third position in the Saudi Arabia Professional Football League with 35 points from 17 matches.
Boniface Leaving Bayer Leverkusen – Alonso is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
