Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said Wednesday that Nigerian striker Victor Boniface is set to stay at the club following reports of a possible transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Bayer Leverkusen Managing Director, Simon Rofles, has confirmed Victor Boniface will not be joining Saudi club, Al Nassr. Boniface was on the verge of completing a lucrative move to Al Nassr after the Big Yellow reached an agreement with Leverkusen for his transfer.

Boniface returned from injury last Saturday but was on the bench for Leverkusen's 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig, and was not named in the squad for Alonso's side's routine victory over lowly Sparta

Spanish center Mario Hermoso embarks on a new adventure in his career after a brief stint with AS Roma. The 29-year-old defender will join Bayer Leverkusen on loan until the end of the season, meeting a specific request from coach Xabi Alonso who is looking to strengthen the defense for the crucial phase of the season.

The apparent collapse of a possible Boniface transfer could remove one obstacle for a move to Saudi Arabia for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran. He has also been linked with Al-Nass

Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface was left out of training on Tuesday as German media reports linked the striker with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, with manager Xabi Alonso saying negotiations for the player's transfer were ongoing.

Victor Boniface's impending transfer to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia has not been totally welcomed by one of his teammates at German club Bayer Leverkusen.