Bayer Leverkusen and Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface reportedly saw a lucrative €36 million net transfer deal to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr fall through at the eleventh hour during the January transfer window.
The Nigerian international was heavily courted by the Saudi club, who sent representatives to Germany to negotiate terms with both the player and Leverkusen.
According to reports, Boniface had agreed to the move, which would have seen him earn a staggering €45 million net over three years, as reported by German newspaper Welt.
However, the deal collapsed unexpectedly, with Al-Nassr ultimately opting to sign Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán instead.
While the disappointment is palpable, the striker has quickly refocused on his career with Bayer Leverkusen.
He has seamlessly reintegrated into Xabi Alonso’s squad following his return from injury, demonstrating his resilience with goals in two of Leverkusen’s last three matches.
These include the opening goal in a 3-1 Bundesliga victory over Hoffenheim and the decisive goal in a thrilling 3-2 DFB-Pokal quarter-final win against 1. FC Köln, where he came off the bench.
Despite missing out on the Saudi riches, Boniface’s future at Leverkusen appears bright. The club is reportedly planning to reward his strong performances with a significant pay raise should he agree to extend his contract until 2029.
His current annual salary of €3 million (gross) is expected to double to €6 million.
While this potential increase is welcome, it still pales in comparison to the fortune he would have earned in Saudi Arabia. Over the next three years at Leverkusen, he is projected to earn around €9 million net, a far cry from the €45 million offered by Al-Nassr.
