Transfer window: Boniface absent in training as move to Al Nassr progresses

Victor Boniface was absent from Bayer Leverkusen’s training today amid ongoing discussions about a potential transfer to Al Nassr.

The Saudi Pro League club is eyeing Boniface as a replacement for Anderson Talisca, who has reportedly traveled to Istanbul to finalize a move to Fenerbahçe.

Negotiations between Al Nassr and Bayer Leverkusen are advancing as both parties work towards an agreement.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the development through his X account on Tuesday.

Romano stated: “Victor Boniface, OUT of Bayer Leverkusen training session.

“Al Nassr delegation is in Germany since yesterday to negotiate with both player and Bayer Leverkusen, as revealed.

“Deal underway with details still to be discussed for the striker’s move to Saudi Pro League.”

Boniface recently signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga side, keeping him at the club until 2026. The new deal positions the Super Eagles forward among Leverkusen’s top earners.

Despite the extension, the 24-year-old is not deemed untouchable by the German club, who are reportedly demanding at least €50 million for his transfer.

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Wayne Rooney open to returning to football management

England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed his desire to return to football management after leaving Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent in December.

The 39-year-old’s managerial career has seen stints at Derby County, Birmingham City, DC United, and Plymouth Argyle over just two and a half years. Despite these challenges, Rooney remains determined to get back into coaching.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney said, “I would like to go back in, but it would have to be the right club. Certainly the right club.”

Reflecting on his experiences, Rooney added, “I think you always have that ego, don’t you? You always have that confidence you could go in and get the best out of a bad or difficult situation. Obviously, that wasn’t the case at Plymouth.”

For now, Rooney plans to enjoy time with his family but remains open to the right opportunity in the future.

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Napoli rejects Galatasaray’s €65m bid for Victor Osimhen

'He Can Only Leave For €75m' - Napoli Reject Official Bid For Victor Osimhen

Napoli has turned down Galatasaray’s €65 million bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, according to Il Corriere dello Sport.

Osimhen, who joined the Turkish Super Lig champions on loan from Napoli last September, has an option to make his move permanent. However, Napoli is firm on their €75 million valuation and unwilling to lower the fee.

The 24-year-old forward has been in impressive form, netting 12 goals in 15 league appearances for Galatasaray this season.

Reports also suggest Osimhen rejected a move to Manchester United earlier this month, signaling his preference to stay in Turkey for the time being.

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Guardiola: I’m Confident We’ll Beat Brugge

Manchester City will host Brugge at the Etihad Stadium in their final UEFA Champions League group game on Wednesday.

As the winners of the tournament in 2023, City can’t afford a loss or a draw at home because winning is their only way to make the playoffs and continue to fight for a place in the round of 16.

Having won only two of their past seven games in the group, City sit 25th in the 36-team table with eight points. In the new Champions League format, the top-eight teams from the group phase will automatically qualify for the round of 16 while, ninth to 24th compete for the other eight spots in the playoffs.

City’s opponents Brugge are five places above them with 11 points. They have to win on the road to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16, but it won’t be easy since the Belgian club has never defeated City in the Champions League. The last time they came to the Etihad Stadium in 2021, the hosts walked over them 4-1.

The good news for City is that they seem to have snapped out of their poor form from the end of last year. From October to December 2024, the club lost 13 games in all competitions. However, they remained undefeated in the past seven Premier League games, making it back to the top-four in the league in impressive fasion. Furthermore, City have not lost any of their 34 home games at the Champions League since 2018.

“Well, the situation that we have, we have no other option – to win the game,” City’s manager Pep Guardiola said. “And if not, we will not continue in this competition. We want to go through to have another chance to play another two games to qualify for the next stage. It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it.”