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Al Nassr Football Club’s expected signing of Nigerian striker Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen has hit a potential snag as the Saudi Pro League giants step up their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Colombian forward, Jhon Duran.
Earlier, it had been reported that Al Nassr had signed Boniface for a fee of more than €60 million. The 24-year-old Nigerian was set to replace Anderson Talisca, who just joined Fenerbahçe. Boniface, while with Leverkusen that he signed for in summer 2023, has an impressive record of 29 goals in 49 appearances despite facing injury challenges this season. His deal with Al Nassr was reportedly worth an annual net salary of €15 million, with the medicals already passed. However, things took a different turn for the club as Al Nassr began to focus on Jhon Duran. The 21-year-old Colombian has been one of the stars of the Premier League this season and has indeed attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and West Ham United. He scored 12 times in 28 appearances for Aston Villa, mostly as a super-sub who brings much energy to the pitch coming off the bench.
Aston Villa have set a high valuation for Duran, reportedly around £85 million, reflecting his potential and the recent contract extension that ties him to the club until 2030. Yet despite such a lofty valuation, Duran is reported to be keen on the move to Al Nassr and on forming a deadly partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The interest in Duran has blown open a potentially done deal into question marks about the status of his transfer. Of course, it is not clear whether Al Nassr will move for both forwards or whether Duran is now the preferred target of the club. Reports sat Al Nassr will either sign Victor Boniface or Jhon Duran and not the both of them.
Bayer Leverkusen, expecting him to leave, has been on the front foot in securing replacements. The club reportedly is nearing an agreement to sign Aston Villa attacker Emiliano Buendía to fill the void caused by the injury to Martin Terrier. The move could show that Leverkusen is prepared to let go of Boniface should the transfer to Al Nassr materialize.
With the transfer window about to close in January, Al Nassr are at a very critical point that could alter the dynamics of their squad. Management will have to decide whether to bring in Boniface, Duran, or even both, as both forwards would boost attacking impetus with Cristiano Ronaldo.
