Boniface ready to join Europe’s elite

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Nigerian star Victor Boniface’s future is bright, but his next move will define his career, writes DYLAN JOHNSON

Victor Boniface has the potential to be an elite, best-in-class striker, one of the best in world football. His time at Bayer Leverkusen looks like it’s coming to an end, but where would suit him best?

Boniface played a crucial role in leading Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title as their top scorer. His journey from Nigeria to Bodo/Glimt, then to Union St. Gilloise in Belgium, and now to Leverkusen has seen him become a prolific forward. Over his two-year stay in Germany, he has scored 31 goals and provided 12 assists in 56 appearances.

His injury history is a major concern. He has suffered two serious knee injuries, tearing his cruciate ligament twice. These setbacks left him sidelined for more than 500 days and caused him to miss 90 games during his stay at Bodo/Glimt. Since joining Leverkusen, his availability hasn’t been ideal either. Boniface missed 23 games in his debut campaign and has already been sidelined for 12 in 2024-25.

Given his time out with injuries, it’s understandable why some clubs may be hesitant. His undeniable talent still makes him an attractive prospect for many top European sides. However, there are areas he needs to improve. His performances have been inconsistent, with a noticeable drop-off in 2024-25 compared to his Bundesliga-winning debut season.

While a highly talented forward, Boniface sometimes struggles with decision-making and ball retention, areas he must improve to reach elite status. If he wants to take the next step, he must improve his overall contributions and score more goals. At 24, he has time, but if he doesn’t refine these aspects of his game, a big move could come too soon and end in failure.

Saudi Pro League:

Al Nassr nearly signed Boniface for €70m in the January transfer window, and he was close to joining before the Saudi club opted instead for Aston Villa’s younger striker, Jhon Duran, for a similar fee. Saudi Arabia may return for Boniface at the end of the season, as his exit from Leverkusen seems inevitable.

If he does move to the Middle East, it’s more likely to be to one of the other superclubs like Al Ahli or Al Ittihad, where he would join former Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby, or defending champions Al Hilal.

Premier League:

Chelsea desperately need forward depth. The absence of Nicolas Jackson has been felt badly, with the Blues struggling for consistency in 2025. The goal burden on Cole Palmer is far too high, and his form has dipped significantly in the league since the turn of the year.

Boniface fits the mould of a modern-day Chelsea striker, similar to Didier Drogba, Romelu Lukaku, or Diego Costa. He is superb with his back to goal, using his physicality to bring teammates into play, create time, and start attacking situations. Despite his towering 1.90m frame, he is a skilled dribbler with great pace and an excellent first touch.

Manchester United’s problems up front are well-documented, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to score consistently. Boniface would be a great addition to lead Ruben Amorim’s rebuild. However, the issue would be whether the players around him can maximize his potential, as well as United’s financial struggles, which have been publicly outlined by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Another problem is that moving to United would be a step down in terms of competition. It’s unlikely they will qualify for the UEFA Champions League over the next two to three seasons, and a player of Boniface’s quality deserves to play in Europe’s most prestigious competition. It may be better for him to stay at Leverkusen, continue fighting for the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso, and play Champions League football consistently.

La Liga:

Atletico Madrid have not been linked to Boniface, but it could be an exciting move. The Spanish club is reportedly looking for a striker, and if Boniface is available, he could be a great fit for Diego Simeone’s side. His playstyle and mentality align well with Atleti, and with Barcelona and Real Madrid focused on Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski, respectively, he could be a smart signing for Atletico.

Serie A:

Italy could also be an interesting destination. Victor Osimhen seems destined to leave Napoli, leaving Antonio Conte’s side short in attack, while AC Milan is struggling for goals. Milan has endured a disastrous season, with multiple managers failing to turn things around.

They sit ninth in Serie A, having scored 44 goals but conceded 33—far behind city rivals Inter and trailing behind Bologna, Napoli, Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, and Fiorentina in attacking output. They are in desperate need of goals, and Boniface could be the perfect player to solve their problems. Christian Pulisic is currently their top scorer with 15 goals, while midfielder Tijani Reijnders has 13 in all competitions.

Where Boniface goes next will be one of the key stories of the transfer window. He has all the tools to succeed at the highest level, but the next move must be the right one for his career trajectory.

Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images

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Dylan Johnson