No contact between Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen for Victor Boniface | OneFootball

BILD report tonight that despite reports of Newcastle United’s interest in Victor Boniface, there is no contact between the Premier League side and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, and that there is no pressure from Xabi Alonso’s side to sell the Nigerian forward.

Boniface is happy at Bayer Leverkusen, despite his near move to Al-Nassr during the winter transfer window before his move collapsed at the eleventh hour. The 24-year-old scored in the two games after his failed move to the Saudi Pro League, against Koln and Hoffenheim.

Why did Boniface’s move to Al-Nassr fail?

Everything had been agreed. Boniface was absent from Bayer Leverkusen’s training as a proposed move to Saudi Arabia moved closer. Xabi Alonso also confirmed that negotiations were ongoing. Later that day – on January 28 – Al-Nassr reached an agreement to sign Boniface for a reported €60m, which would see the Nigerian become the club’s second most expensive departure in their history after Kai Havertz’ move to Chelsea for €80m in 2020.

Boniface passed a medical and would earn a reported €15m per salary.

But at the last minute, Al-Nassr turned their attention towards Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran. In the end, a move was official, and the Colombian became the second most expensive signing by a Saudi club, moving for an initial €77m plus add-ons, passing Moussa Diaby to Al-Ittihad for €60m.

Regional outlet Chronicle, via BILD, report that there has been contact between Newcastle United and Boniface’s entourage.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder