Soccer
Victor Boniface Bayer Leverkusen looks on during a 1. Bundesliga game, RB Leipzig vs Bayer Leverkusen, at Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Super Eagles and Bayer 04 Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is set to return to the Bay Arena after a failed medical with AC Milan, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old goalscorer already agreed on personal terms with the seven-time UEFA Champions League winners. Both clubs were also in agreement over a loan deal with the option to buy included.
However, an issue in Boniface’s right knee raised eyebrows with the Milan doctors, and the Italian giants decided against onboarding the 2024 Bundesliga rookie of the season.
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The Nigerian forward has now had two moves cancelled in 2025. He was initially linked with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, even passing a medical with the Saudi Arabian side.
However, Jorge Jesus’ side went on to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa for €77m. In an ironic turn, the Colombian striker joined Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce last month.
Then-Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso welcomed Boniface with open arms after his move to Al-Nassr fell through in January.
In the same vein, the club’s Sporting Director, Simon Rolfes, has revealed Boniface’s return to Leverkusen will see him undergo physical therapy to return his knee to full fitness.
“If Boniface comes back to Leverkusen, the AC Milan deal will be over. That’s no big secret,” the 43-year-old said in quotes revealed by BILD.
“Renegotiating the deal? I don’t think that will happen. His [Boniface] physical situation has improved compared to the beginning”.
“Boni has now behaved sensibly. This is by no means a problem, but he has to go into physical recovery now so that he is at 100 percent.”
Now that the AC Milan episode is over, the Super Eagles star and his management team have to start exploring other options.
Apparently, Bayer Leverkusen coach Erik Ten Hag does not favour him. So he might have to leave Die Werkself for a club where he is assured of regular game time, only after completing his recovery.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.
With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.
He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
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