Nigeria striker Victor Boniface has seen his impending loan move to AC Milan called off.
A medical flagged concerns over the player’s right knee and, after deliberation, the nine-time European champions have opted against going ahead with the deal, which had been agreed for a loan fee of €5 million and a €24 million buy option. The 24-year-old will now return to Leverkusen.
Boniface, who was used sparingly in preseason by Erik ten Hag despite undertaking personal training during the offseason, is understood to be out of favour at the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions, behind both Patrik Schick and youngster Christian Kofane in the club’s striker pecking order.
🚨⚠️ AC Milan call Victor Boniface deal off as Nigerian striker did not pass the medical tests.
Despite verbal agreement for €5m loan fee and €24m buy clause with player in Milano in the last 48h, deal called off due to medical.
Boniface, returning in Germany today. pic.twitter.com/ChBbh1mtzo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2025
More transfer misfortune for Victor Boniface
2025 has been a difficult year all around for Victor Boniface, but especially on the transfer front. Originally slated to move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in January, the move was called off at the last minute, with Jhon Duran instead getting the nod. Incidentally, the Colombian has now left to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahce.
This latest incident only reinforces the sense of misfortune around the Super Eagles star, who has struggled to reclaim the highs of his debut, double-winning season at Bayer Leverkusen. Last season, he scored 11 goals in all competitions, a step down from the 21 he had managed the year before.
The concerns over his knee may not be unconnected to Boniface’s prior history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. In his short career to date, the former Union St Gilloise has, improbably, suffered two different ones.
