Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface reveals reason for failed Saudi move

Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, has opened up on his failed move to Al Nassr during the January transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 24-year-old joined Die Werkself from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 and was a brilliant addition to the squad as he scored 21 goals and provided nine assists to help Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles.

Boniface‘s second season was less impressive as he struggled due to injuries. At the start of the Ruckrunde, Al Nassr offered the Nigerian striker a cop-out with huge financial incentives.

While the forward admitted he's never played football for money, he reveals the offer from Cristiano Ronaldo‘s side tempted him to make the move.

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“I've never played football for money. I love football, but there was a time I considered it,” the former Union Saint-Gilloise forward said in a round table discussion with Webek Studios.

“I'm still young, and I've faced a lot of injuries. In the winter transfer window, I received a great offer from Saudi Arabia, so I was considering the injuries and the assurance of longevity, given what my body has been through,” a statement coincidentally echoed by Boniface's teammate, Lukas Hradecky.

“So I wanted to go to Saudi Arabia to play two or three seasons. I started calling family, and people were already calculating the amount I'd earn if the move happened. The money was a lot.

“I called my elder brother, and I explained the situation to him, revealing I had offers from Saudi Arabia and Italy, and he told me to move to Italy.

“A few minutes later, he found out about the Al Nassr offer, and he reached out and told me I need to go to Saudi Arabia immediately.

“I agreed to the deal because it wasn't just about me, it was about the club as well, they wanted the money, about €70m.

“I packed my bags and was ready to go. We drove to Frankfurt. I'd already given my clothes and shoes to my friends because I thought I'd be making a lot of money.”

“Eventually, it didn't happen because Al-Nassr opted for someone else, but that's the only time in my career I've thought about money. I love football,” Boniface concluded.

Al Nassr opted to sign Aston Villa's John Duran in the final minutes of the transfer window for €77m, dashing Boniface's hopes.

Jhon Durán to Al Nassr, here we go! Story from earlier tonight confirmed as documents are being prepared.

Aston Villa to receive €77m fixed fee plus add-ons, long term deal accepted by Durán.

Medical booked tomorrow and then he will travel to Saudi right after ✈️ pic.twitter.com/m3SN6ots84

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2025

The Super Eagles star is now focused on winning with Leverkusen again as a new era under Erik Ten Hag beckons.