Boniface left out of training as Leverkusen negotiate exit

Xabi Alonso has confirmed negotiations for Victor Boniface's exit are ongoing after the forward was left out of Bayer Leverkusen training on Tuesday, ahead of their Champions League clash with Sparta Prague.

The 24-year-old returned from injury on Saturday but was on the bench for Leverkusen's 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

German media reports have linked the striker with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

Before his injury in November, he had scored eight goals in 15 games in all competitions. Last season, he netted 14 goals in 23 league appearances to finish as their top scorer and played a pivotal role in securing Leverkusen's 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 said. 

Leverkusen have won their last three home Champions League matches without conceding a single goal – they have never previously won four in a row on home soil in the competition, with their current run their fourth sequence of three consecutive wins.

"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 the Jeanuel [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 play-off spot, while Sparta, 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 next month, with the draw taking place on Friday.