Victor Boniface: Werder Bremen make transfer decision on Bayer Leverkusen star

Nigeria and Bayer Leverkusen-owned striker Victor Boniface is preparing to leave SV Werder Bremen after a difficult loan spell that never truly got going, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Bundesliga side have reportedly decided not to keep the Super Eagles forward following a season heavily affected by injuries, loss of form and long periods away from the pitch.

According to German magazine Kicker, Boniface has no future at Bremen and will return to his parent club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the campaign. The report also stated that the original loan agreement contained no option to buy, making a permanent transfer unlikely from the beginning.

That decision now looks even more understandable considering how the season unfolded for the Nigerian international.

Boniface arrived at Bremen hoping to rebuild momentum after struggling with knee problems, but his physical condition quickly became a major issue. The striker has missed the club’s last 20 Bundesliga matches and has not played since December 7. German reports claimed he returned to Bremen in poor shape after recovering from a knee injury, and he never fully regained rhythm afterwards.

Boniface made 11 Bundesliga appearances without scoring a single goal. It was a dramatic fall for a striker once considered one of the most explosive forwards in Germany. It is also the first time in Boniface’s professional career that he failed to score for a club during a league campaign.

That decline has affected more than just his club future. Boniface has not been called up by the Nigerian national team since featuring in a friendly against Russia in June 2025. Before the injuries, he had been viewed as one of Nigeria’s most exciting attacking options because of his power, pressing intensity and ability to stretch defences with direct running.

What makes the situation more frustrating for Bremen and Boniface himself is that his quality was never seriously questioned. During his best period at Leverkusen, the former Union Saint-Gilloise striker helped the club lift the Bundesliga and German Cup titles and established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous forwards. His aggressive style, physical strength and movement inside the box made him extremely difficult for defenders to handle.

But recurring knee problems changed the conversation completely.

What happens next for Boniface?

The 25-year-old still has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until June 2028, meaning the former German champions remain in control of his immediate future. His first task this summer will be proving his fitness during pre-season.

A return to Leverkusen remains the most straightforward option. If Boniface can complete a full pre-season without setbacks, the club could decide to reintegrate him into the squad as a depth option. However, competition for attacking places is fierce, and Leverkusen may prefer to move him on permanently to protect his transfer value before it falls further.

Another loan inside Germany is also possible. Mid-table Bundesliga clubs may still see value in taking a calculated risk on a striker whose ceiling remains extremely high when fit. Boniface still possesses the pace, pressing ability and physical profile that many teams in Germany value, especially clubs searching for a powerful centre-forward without paying massive transfer fees.

A move outside Germany may ultimately be more realistic. Belgium could become an attractive destination again because he previously thrived there with Union Saint-Gilloise. The Belgian league’s slightly lower physical intensity compared to the Bundesliga may also help him manage his recovery better.

The Saudi Pro League is another serious possibility. Boniface was previously close to joining Al-Nassr FC in a deal reportedly worth around €70 million before the Saudi side signed Jhon Durán instead.

Although his market value has dropped sharply since then, Saudi clubs still possess the financial power to absorb the medical risks attached to the Nigerian striker.

An outsider Premier League move cannot be completely ruled out either. Before his injury struggles, several English clubs admired his aggressive style and ability to lead the line physically. A permanent transfer now looks unlikely, but a loan with an option to buy could still attract interest from clubs seeking squad depth.

Everything now depends on Boniface’s fitness.