Al Nassr Open Talks With Leverkusen To Sign Boniface

Al Nassr have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal to sign forward Victor Boniface.

The Saudi Pro League side wanted to bring in Boniface as a replacement for Anderson Talisca, who has agreed a deal to join Fenerbahce.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Al Nassr have started official talks to sign the Nigerian in a bid to beat competition from Premier League clubs to the 24-year-old.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with Boniface, who has scored 29 goals in 49 appearances for Leverkusen.

Boniface was named as the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Season in 2023/24 after impressing during his debut campaign for the German club. He helped Xabi Alonso’s side to a German league and cup double without losing a game, scoring 21 times.

The Nigeria international has scored six Bundesliga goals this season during a campaign impacted by injury.

Al Nassr want to add Boniface to a forward line that already contains Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, as Talisca nears a move to Turkish football. The latter has scored 77 goals in 110 games across his three-and-a-half seasons in the SPL.

Al Nassr also expressed interest in Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran. However, Villa’s relucatance to entertain offers for the Colombian has persuaded the Saudi side to pursue Boniface.

Villa rejected a £59m bid from Premier League rivals West Ham United for Duran earlier in the January transfer window.