Xabi Alonso Confirms Victor Boniface Will Stay at Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface will stay at the club, ending speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface will remain at the Bundesliga club, despite rumors of a potential move to Saudi Arabia. Boniface, 24, was left out of Leverkusen's Champions League clash with Sparta Prague, fueling speculation about his future. However, Alonso revealed that Boniface will resume training with the team, saying, “He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us.”

Alonso expressed his satisfaction with Boniface's decision to stay, stating, “I am satisfied, I am happy. He is comfortable here, so I don't believe that this is a big stress for him.” Boniface has been in impressive form this season, scoring eight goals in 15 games across all competitions. His decision to stay at Leverkusen could have implications for other transfer targets, including Aston Villa's Jhon Duran, who is reportedly being considered by Saudi club Al Nassr.

🗣️Head Coach Xabi Alonso's thoughts on qualifying through the top 8! pic.twitter.com/oJzG65N8Tx

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) January 29, 2025

Boniface's commitment to Leverkusen is a significant boost for the club, given his crucial role in their success last season. He netted 14 goals in 23 league appearances to finish as the team's top scorer and played a pivotal role in securing Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title. With Boniface staying put, the door may now be open for Duran to join Al Nassr, who are looking to strengthen their attacking lineup, which already features Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane.