With the summer transfer window reopening in a couple of months, Nigeria and Bayer Leverkusen hitman Victor Boniface has been named as a summer target for Chelsea.
According to German tabloid Bild, Chelsea might have given up on the chase for Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, since Paris Saint Germain came onto the scene following Mbappe's exit at the end of the season.
Boniface, who narrowly missed out on the final Super Eagles squad to the last AFCON in Ivory Coast due to injury, has registered 10 goals and seven assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances this season.
He currently has a contract that is expected to run till 2028.
With Chelsea still seeking to balance their financials, having spent over a billion euros in the transfer market over the last two years, the Blues won't have to spend so much in acquiring a cheaper but quality player, with the Victor Boniface reportedly valued at around €40 million.
A stark difference if they were to continue their transfer chase of the Napoli forward, for whom they would have been asked to meet the buy-out clause of €130 million.
He would still have been preferred above Brentford's Ivan Toney, who is also on the Blues' list and reportedly valued at €80 million.
Victor Boniface transfer – Nigeria striker's rise to stardom
In a footballing world filled with stars and superstars, Victor Boniface has recently become the subject of intense transfer speculation.
Top clubs across Europe are vying for his signature following his good numbers in the Bundesliga this season with Leverkusen, a team on the cusp of winning the German league title for the first time in their history.
The Xabi Alonso-tutored side are currently leading the Bundesliga table and have maintained an unbeaten record in 32 games across all competitions so far this season – the only team in Europe's top five leagues with an unblemished record.
His impact on the pitch has been nothing short of electrifying. His combination of blistering pace, lethal finishing, and tactical intelligence has drawn comparisons to some of the game's greatest strikers, earning him accolades and admirers from around the world.
Boniface's journey to the spotlight has been nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from the football-crazed nation of Nigeria, he honed his skills on the streets of Lagos before catching the eye of talent scouts at a young age.
His raw talent and innate ability to find the back of the net saw him rise through the ranks of Nigerian football, eventually earning him a move abroad.
Chelsea must fight to secure Victor Boniface transfer
The Blues are not the only ones linked to acquiring the signature of the Nigerian sensation who has been shaking up Europe this season.
Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus have also thrown their hats into the ring in a bid to land him in Serie A.
Reports suggest that reigning Serie A champions Napoli are also said to be monitoring his situation closely as he's been mentioned as a potential replacement for Nigeria teammate and friend Osimhen, who is strongly linked with an exit in the summer.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, one thing is clear: Victor Boniface is a player on the rise and destined for greatness on the biggest stage not minding where he eventually ends up, Stamford Bridge, the San Siro, or the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Boniface will not just bring an improvement to Chelsea if he is eventually acquired, but he will command a strong commercial value for the West London outfit.
His potential as a commercial asset has also been recognised, with his marketability extending far beyond the confines of the football field.
With his infectious smile, charismatic personality, and growing social media following, Victor Boniface has become a brand in his own right, attracting lucrative sponsorship deals and endorsement opportunities.
