Boniface has reacted after seeing his billionaire move to Al Nassr fall through at the last minute.
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface has been left reeling after his blockbuster move to Saudi Pro League giants Al Nassr reportedly collapsed at the last minute.
The Bayer Leverkusen star was on the brink of a life-changing deal worth a staggering ₦25 billion (€15m) per season, only for the Saudi club to ditch him in favour of Aston Villa’s second-choice striker Jhon Duran.
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Al Nassr ditch Boniface for Duran in €77m deal
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Al Nassr swooped in for the 21-year-old Colombian forward, securing a deal reportedly worth €77 million, including add-one.
This shocking turn of events blindsided Boniface, who had already been excused from Leverkusen training earlier in the week, anticipating a switch to Saudi Arabia.
According to renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a Saudi delegation had been stationed in Germany since Monday, working to finalise terms with Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga champions had slapped a €50 million price tag on Boniface, and everything seemed on track for an official announcement with the 24-year-old even poised to become the highest-paid Nigerian footballer.
Sky Germany also reported that Boniface had undergone a medical, further fuelling expectations that the move was a done deal.
But in a ruthless twist, Al Nassr pivoted at the last second, choosing to sign Duran instead.
The Colombian has reportedly agreed personal terms and is set to complete his medical this Thursday, officially joining Al Nassr’s star-studded squad alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, as well as others.
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23:57 - 29.01.2025
Duran denies Boniface ₦23 billion payday, as Ronaldo's club end pursuit for Nigerian in favour of Aston Villa star
Victor Boniface is set to continue at Bayer Leverkusen after his move to Al Nassr failed.
Boniface’s heartbreaking reaction
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The news hit Boniface hard, and his response was as blunt as it was telling.
Taking to his official Snapchat channel, the Nigeria international posted a simple but powerful message: “Omo x 100”—a Nigerian slang term that conveys disappointment, frustration, and disbelief all at once.
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For a player who had been on the verge of securing generational wealth, the abrupt end to his Saudi dream was certainly a bitter pill to swallow.
A move to Al Nassr would have seen Boniface join one of the wealthiest football projects on the planet, not to mention making history as the first Nigerian to ever play alongside the Portuguese legend and five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
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08:30 - 29.01.2025
Money or trophies: Victor Boniface settles debate amid Al Nassr rumours
Nigeria's Victor Boniface could leave Bayer Leverkusen for Al Nassr this window after a big-money bid from the Saudi Pro League.
What next for Boniface?
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Now, the 24-year-old must regroup and refocus at Bayer Leverkusen.
Boniface enjoyed a sensational debut season in Germany, bagging 21 goals and 10 assists as Leverkusen clinched a historic Bundesliga and German Cup double.
However, injuries have hampered his progress in the 2024/25 campaign, limiting him to just 15 appearances so far.
With Al Nassr moving on, Boniface must now prove himself once again in Europe as he faces stiff competition in Xabi Alonso’s lineup with Patrick Schick currently ahead of him in the pecking order.