The photographers were prepared. The video team was ready. Al-nassr had got his man and knew it. They were so sure that the agreement would be ready to be announced, two members of their media team had abandoned Riyadh to document their last hours.
The light hitch? They were heading to Leverkusen, where Victor Boniface was waiting to end a contract that would have made him one of the best paid players on the planet. Meanwhile, there was a change of plans. Al-nassr would sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa.
This was a matter of surprise for senior figures close to al-nassr. During the first weeks of the January window, his first option had been Bayer Leverkusen’s Boniface. If that had collapsed, then Duran was a more than adequate alternative. Now they have it, there are few complaints about the quality of a player who averaged one goal every 102 minutes in the Premier League.
However, there are concerns about how their business has been carried out by PIF owners, according to sources with knowledge of Al-Nassr’s thinking. Ultimately, it was the sovereign background of wealth that had the final call on the agreement, by Fuentes, and who opted for last when almost everything had been agreed for Bonifacio, the al-nassr man saw as his main objective.
PIF view
It should be noted that PIF sources have indicated a different vision of things. They, apparently, had seen Bonifacio as the alternative, their rapid progression in conversations with Leverkusen a means to attract the table.
It was widely expected that the Midlands team sold one of the two great strikers and at the time when PIF’s interest intensified the dialogue was underway on a possible sale of Ollie Watkins to Arsenal. An offer of $ 80 million for its second -option striker changed the calculation in Villa Park.
Even when the offer entered and the doctor was reserved, there were those inside the al-nassr hierarchy who still expected Boniface to get the approval. PIF has been previously demonstrated to promote concurrent agreements at the same time, for example, initiating conversations so that Al-Ittihad firm Leandro Trossard last summer and aligning Steven Bergwijn of Ajax. However, the agreements tend not to progress as far as the Boniface-Duran tandem did.
That left Al-Nassr in some link with those close to the club that fear the damage that will have caused his reputation when leaving Boniface in the staked at the 11th hour, interrupting Leverkusen before an important match of the Champions League . Xabi Alonso described the situation as “a bit strange, uncomfortable” and, although the player himself has talked about his commitment to the German champions, it remains to be seen if the transfer that was almost detrimental between Leverkusen, Al-Nassr and Boniface.
Although Nigeria’s International may have been the man that Al-Noser wanted, it would be a mistake to suggest that they are disappointed with Duran. The Colombian was one of the most coveted strikers in the European market and fits with PIF’s priorities to catch some of the best young talents in the game. At 21 years of age, they may be able to operate at a high level when the World Cup arrives in Saudi Arabia in 2034.
The speculation about Duran’s behavior in Villa Park is not aware of the brass of Al-Nassr, who is understood that he trusts Cristiano Ronaldo who establishes expectations in the costumes for his new young striker.
They also hope that the addition of Duran can fire them towards the top of the Saudi Professional League. In spite of everything, a situation in which four clubs share an owner generates skepticism and concern, it should be taken into account that most of PIF’s January spending was addressed to Al-Ahli (who added Galen de Porto for $ 46.7 million ) and al-nassr. They follow the joint leaders of the League for 11 and eight points respectively. The additions of Al-Hilal and Al-Itihad were completely smaller on a scale.
The same may not be true this summer. After a relatively slow summer of 2024, which reflects the cooling of the world transfers market, there are signs of great impulse for additions to the Pro League, and in particular to Pif Four, during the summer. Two names stand out.
Mohamed Salah is still an objective
When Al-Hilal and Al-Ithad presented their owners a list of their three main objectives in the summer of 2023, both had the name of Mohamed Salah in them. The interest has not faded since then, when summer arrives, it will be a free agent. The Saudi Sports Minister, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Fafaisal, said last month that it would be “a pleasure and privilege” to have it in the Pro League. If you want to come, you can expect a salary comparable to that of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
However, if it is the operational word. Sources with knowledge of PIF’s thought believe that any movement for Salah is “far from being advanced.” There are doubts within the League about whether the 32 -year -old, the main contender for the Golden Ball, is ready to leave the European game yet. Each Public Declaration of Salah speaks of a strong desire to keep Liverpool, there would be a reluctance to see a great money supply used as leverage to extract the best terms of its current club.
What about Vinicius?
Vinicius Junior is the other main name in the Saudi radar. The annual salary package could reach around the $ 200 million that Ronaldo wins in Al-Nassr with Al-Hilal seen as the most likely landing point for the Brazilian striker. The reports in Spain during the last year have suggested that Vinicius would consider any offer that arrived in summer.
Under the level of superstar, there is still interest in Mateo Kovacic that had to be put on ice after Rodri’s completion injury in September. Casemiro was also considered in January. With a year to run in your contract at Manchester United, you can demonstrate that it is attainable even if it is not a main objective.
However, if the Duran and Boniface saga is something to continue, then this summer will deliver unpredictable turns at the last minute.
