Two years on from landing Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League could be back with a bang.
The big-spending Middle Eastern league is looking to make another major attacking transfer this January and it could be one that leaves Premier League fans disappointed.
talkSPORT’s Saudi correspondent Ben Jacobs reports that Ronaldo is set to be joined at Al Nassr by one of the Bundesliga’s brightest talents – Victor Boniface.
That does not mean his transfer is a foregone conclusion as the SPL and Al Nassr also want Aston Villa’s star striker Jhon Duran.
Duran has been one of the stories of the season in English football having become an unstoppable supersub with a stunning array of long-range goals.
Signed in 2023 from Chicago Fire, the 21-year-old Colombian impressed enough to attract interest from Chelsea in his first season, but this January had been all about another London club.
talkSPORT understands that West Ham have bid £40million and £57m for Duran this month, and despite the Hammers being unsuccessful, Saudi dealmakers haven’t been put off the player.
And they’ve had some success too, with Jacobs adding that Duran has agreed terms and talks are on over a fee.
In the unlikely event both are signed, one could be allocated to another Saudi Pro League club.
Boniface, meanwhile, looked set for a long and successful career in Germany, but is now on his way out of Bayer Leverkusen for €60m (£50m).
The 24-year-old Nigerian was Leverkusen’s top scorer in all competitions last season, netting 21 goals as they only lost a single match – the Europa League final.
Becoming Bundesliga champions for the first time and DFB Pokal winners, Leverkusen haven’t had the same unstoppable form, but remain in the title hunt and look set to go deep in the Champions League.
Taking the burden up front have been Patrik Schick with 17 goals and Florian Wirtz with 14, while Boniface is down on eight.
He also missed a lengthy stint due to a car accident in October, yet just a month later a video appeared online of him texting while driving.
Commenting on the matter, head coach Xabi Alonso said: “Of course driving while on your phone is not allowed.
“It’s not good and it shouldn’t happen. I haven’t seen Boni yet but he knows. We have to tell him that it’s not correct behaviour, it’s not allowed.”
Boniface remained out of the team and hasn’t played for Leverkusen since November, having twice been left on the bench after returning to the squad in January.
With their age and pedigree, both he and Duran could fill a huge superstar gap in Saudi with the world’s most expensive-ever footballer, Neymar, departing Al Hilal after just 18 months.
With reports that he’s set to return home to Santos where his career began, Neymar confirmed his departure on social media, writing: “To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you!!
“I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together… To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences.
“I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game.
“I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034. Your future will be incredible, special things are happening. And I will always support you!!!”
Neymar features in just five out of a possible 59 games for Al Hilal due to injury with the side winning four trophies, including the Pro League.
