Bayer 04 Leverkusen head coach, Xabi Alonso, has confirmed that Victor Boniface, will begin training immediately, following his failed Al-Nassr move, soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigeria international has been a brilliant revelation for Die Werkself since joining the Germans in the summer of 2023, leading them to a local double in his debut season.
However, Boniface has struggled this season. At the start of the campaign, the goals appeared to be dry, and when it began to pour, he picked up a thigh injury in November and hasn’t played ever since.
Boniface’s injury didn’t deter interest from him, despite recently signing a contract extension until 2029 at the Bay Arena. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr were linked with the former Union Saint-Gilloise striker, offering him up to €15m in wages.
However, the deal fell through, as the Saudi Pro League side ended up with Aston Villa striker, Jhon Duran. Al-Nassr signed the Colombian forward for a fee of €77m, pulling the plug on a potential move for Boniface.
With his future now confirmed to be in Germany, Leverkusen boss, Alonso has welcomed the Nigerian, stating there is no pressure on him to leave.
“He will train again tomorrow. I believe he is staying with us. So I have to say that I am satisfied, I am happy. He is comfortable here, so I don’t believe that this is a big stress for him. He is comfortable here,” Alonso was quoted as saying by Fotmob following Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Sparta Prague.
Boniface has scored eight goals in 15 games across all competitions this season, but has missed 12 games already this term with a recurring thigh injury.