'I packed my bag' - Super Eagles star Boniface reveals details of failed €70m Al Nassr transfer after giving away his clothes

Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface reveals how close he was to joining a Saudi club in a €70m move, admitting he was fully ready with his bag packed before the deal collapsed at the last moment.

Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has lifted the lid on his near-move to Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr, a blockbuster transfer reportedly worth around €70 million that collapsed at the very last moment.

Speaking on The Culture League podcast, the Nigerian forward revealed how he was physically and mentally prepared to join the club, even having packed his bags and traveled partway, only for the deal to fall through in heartbreaking fashion.

Boniface, 24, disclosed that the move was set during the previous transfer window, with personal terms agreed and a massive salary on the table, reportedly around €15 million net per season.

“I was really ready to go,” he said. “I was living in Cologne, and we drove to Frankfurt because the flight was waiting. I was in my hotel room praying the deal would go through, but it didn’t work out at the last minute.”

Showing how serious he was, Boniface gave away most of his designer clothes and shoes to friends in preparation for the big move.

The towering forward spoke about his mixed feelings and the family conversations he had during the process. Initially, he had offers from both Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and a top Italian club, and sought advice from his elder brother, a football enthusiast.

“He told me, ‘Go to Italy; you play Champions League, World Cup, everything,’” Boniface recounted. But then a message from a mutual contact nudged him toward the Saudi move, referring to the financial aspect, something that also involved the clubs. “It’s not just about me; the club also wants the transfer fee,” he explained, revealing the reported €70 million valuation involved.

Despite all personal and club agreements, Al Nassr suddenly pulled out, opting instead to pursue Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran in a €77 million deal. Transfer experts Fabrizio Romano and German journalist Florian Plettenberg confirmed the collapse, citing that even after medicals and verbal agreements, Al Nassr never gave the final green light.

Bayer Leverkusen coach at the time Xabi Alonso confirmed the deal had fallen through but expressed satisfaction with Boniface staying at the club.

The collapse was a significant financial blow to Boniface, who would have become one of the highest-paid Nigerian players in history.

He reportedly walked away from a deal worth approximately ₦80 billion over a few years, a salary leap from his current €2 million per season at Leverkusen.

The striker missed Bayer Leverkusen’s UEFA Champions League match against Sparta Prague, signaling the seriousness of the impending move, but now remains focused on his current club.

In light of the failed transfer, Boniface emphasised the professionalism required throughout the process. “I stayed calm. I didn’t post anything. I called family and friends. Football is full of rumours, but you have to stay focused,” he said.

Looking ahead, Boniface’s future remains promising, with several major European clubs reportedly monitoring him.

With his contract at Leverkusen extending to 2028, speculation is rife about a new contract extension or an eventual move in the coming summer transfer window.