Boniface: 4 clubs set to benefit from impending Leverkusen distress sale

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Following the highs of his debut campaign on the books of Bayer Leverkusen last season, Victor Boniface now finds himself an increasingly peripheral figure at the BayArena, having failed to break into the starting XI since his recent recovery from injury.

Emerging stories suggest the Nigerian is not taking the demotion from a starring role too well, with his malcontent reportedly poisoning the mood in Xabi Alonso's dressing room.

Consequently, it is now speculated that, should things not improve, Leverkusen would be willing to let Boniface go for a cut-price in the coming summer — but who would the prospective takers be?

Victor Boniface: 4 clubs set to benefit from impending Leverkusen distress sale
Photo by IMAGO

Here are four options.

Newcastle United

The Magpies obviously do not have any immediate plans of bringing in a new starting striker, considering they have one of the best in the business, Alexander Isak, firing on all cylinders.

With bigger Premier League rivals coveting the Swede — despite the likelihood of Newcastle erecting a nine-figure-fee fence to ward off suitors — however, manager Eddie Howe and his employers may well be noting down the names of potential replacements.

If so, Boniface should be on that list of potential signings — not entirely improbable, given they have been linked in the past.

Paris Saint-Germain

Luis Enrique's team are on a roll, having more than survived  the summer exit of Kylian Mbappe, the temporary (and possibly permanent) departure of Randal Kolo Muani in January, as well as Goncalo Ramos’ inconsistency.

Victor Boniface: 4 clubs set to benefit from impending Leverkusen distress sale
Photo by IMAGO

The remarkable upturn in Ousmane Dembele's productivity has kept them cruising, but the Frenchman's profile — that of a winger with a notoriously poor injury record — means PSG need a more reliable presence upfront going forward.

If, for financial reasons, that cannot be Victor Osimhen (who they have pursued for a good while now), his compatriot and namesake Boniface represents a cheaper yet equally viable alternative.

Chelsea

Another club with Osimhen on its wishlist, Chelsea have not quite reaped the sort of output they had hoped for from striker Nicolas Jackson when they signed him from Villarreal in 2023.

A return of 26 goals in 68 games is hardly satisfactory. Although, the Senegalese extended his already lengthy contract with the club by two more years only last September, his failure to score for the Blues thus far this year may prompt the search for a striker to, at the very least, provide some competition and bolster Enzo Maresca's scoring options. Enter Boniface.

Victor Boniface: 4 clubs set to benefit from impending Leverkusen distress sale

Manchester United

Manchester United’s forwards have struggled for consistency this season, leaving midfielder Bruno Fernandes as the club’s top scorer with 12 goals across all competitions.

The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen, but his financial demands could pose a significant obstacle.

Given Boniface’s relatively lower valuation, United may see him as a more viable alternative and a calculated gamble worth considering.

<!-- Author Start -->Godfred Budu<!-- Author End -->

Godfred Budu

Author

Godfred Budu is a Ghanaian sports journalist with over a decade of experience, offering a dynamic perspective on African football, particularly Nigerian football. A dedicated follower of Enyimba United, he has developed a deep understanding of the Nigerian football scene.