Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface missed training on Tuesday amid reports from German media linking the striker to a transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed that negotiations for the player’s transfer are still in progress.
Boniface, 24, made his return from injury on Saturday, yet remained on the bench during Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
Prior to his injury in November, Boniface had netted eight goals in 15 matches across all competitions. In the previous season, he scored 14 goals in 23 league matches, becoming the team’s leading scorer and playing a crucial role in helping Leverkusen achieve their first Bundesliga title.
“The situation with (Boniface) does exist. Negotiations are ongoing with the club, so we have to wait. Our preparation for the match remains the same,” Alonso told reporters ahead of the Champions League clash against Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
“We prepared (for the game) without Boni, of course. We still have to wait a little longer to see (how the situation unfolds),” the Spanish coach added.
“After Jeanu (Belocian) and Martin (Terrier) injuries we already said that we need to be active in the transfer window. Three days still remain and we are so close (to a decision).
“I am and I will be happy with the squad (regardless). Until now, all players feel that they are ready and they are an important part of the team.”
Defender Belocian suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of the year and winger Terrier sustained an Achilles tendon rupture last week.
Leverkusen, eighth in the Champions League standings on 13 points, have already booked at least a knockout stage playoff spot while Sparta Prague, with four points from seven games, have been eliminated.
The top eight teams from the first phase qualify automatically for the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th go into the playoffs on Feb. 11-12 and 18-19. The playoff draw is on Friday.
