Al-Nassr make room for €100m Duran as talks OPEN for Ronaldo’s new strike partner

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to have a new strike partner at Al-Nassr in the near future, with Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran a strong candidate for the role.

Al-Nassr have shaken up their squad in the transfer market, opening up the possibility of a move for Duran by offloading Anderson Talisca to Fenerbahce.

With a spot for a foreign player opened up, the Saudi Pro League club could complete a spectacular €100 million deal for the Colombia international, who has been linked with a big-money move to several sides, including Chelsea and PSG.

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Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Duran is a candidate to move to Al-Nassr but says there is a likelier candidate to be jetting to the Saudi Pro League side this January.

Taking to X, the football transfer news reporter said: “Understand Al Nassr have started official talks for Victor Boniface as new striker!

“Negotiations on with Bayer Leverkusen for the Nigerian striker to replace Talisca.

“The other candidate is Jhon Duran… but Aston Villa still insist on keeping him at the club.”

Boniface, therefore, looks the likely candidate to hook up with Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

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Leverkusen thriving without Boniface

Boniface has enjoyed an exceptional season for Leverkusen, but Xabi Alonso’s side have shown that they are more than capable of shining without him. Indeed, Boniface was absent for the duration of their eight-match winning streak in the Bundesliga because of a hamstring injury.

He made his return on the bench for the weekend’s 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig but did not take to the field in that encounter.

As such, he is seen as a more viable target to Duran, who is competing with Ollie Watkins for the right to lead the line at Villa Park.

Crucially, with Villa only willing to sell the 20-year-old for a fee in the region of €100m, Bonifcae will be far cheaper for Al-Nassr, who have just agreed on a new contract with Ronaldo.