Before agreement with Union SG
Bayer Leverkusen have upped the pace in poker with a new striker to make up for the prolonged absence of striker Patrik Schick. How Fabrizio Romano reports, the “Werkself” is in advanced talks about a transfer of Nigerian Victor Boniface. The 22-year-old, who is said to have reached an agreement with Bayer, could move from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to the Bundesliga for a total package worth more than 20 million euros.
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According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, 15 million euros including bonus payments are under discussion. Boniface, who is under contract with the Belgian first division club until 2026 with an option for another season, should receive a five-year contract – provided that all parties finally find each other. Previously had as well “The Nieuwsblad” and “La Dernière Heure/Les Sports” unanimously reported on a more concrete transfer and corresponding negotiations between the two clubs.
Boniface has been a well-known personality in Leverkusen at least since the Europa League quarter-final duel with the Belgians, when the right foot scored 1-1 in the first leg in the BayArena, but ultimately could not prevent the Jupiler Pro League club from being eliminated. Since then, Boniface has been linked with several Bundesliga clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig.
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When asked about the speculation about a move to Germany, the attacker kept a low profile in April: “Does the Bundesliga suit me? I don’t know,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. Boniface himself, however, fueled the rumors in the months that followed – consciously or unconsciously – by repeatedly showing himself in the Leverkusen shirt, especially on social networks. So now Bayer’s interest seems to be documented, which has so far invested 42 million euros in newcomers and 10 million euros from sales (to the overview).
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Boniface’s statistics speak for themselves: In the 2022/23 season he contributed eight goals in ten Europa League games, and 18 other scorers in 37 games were added in the league. The attacker was able to double his market value in the course of the latest update, and with a valuation of 12 million euros he is now one of the ten most valuable players in the Belgian upper house.
Boniface switched to Union SG from the Norwegian first division side Bodø/Glimt for €2m last summer. At his first professional stop in Europe, he had already been absent twice in previous years due to a cruciate ligament rupture, and his injury history should play a corresponding role in the considerations of a potential new club.
TM community: Boniface to Bayer Leverkusen would be a “wise decision”
A Boniface transfer to Bayer 04 has also been the subject of much discussion recently in the TM rumor mill. “If that’s true, then I don’t think it’s a wise decision by those in charge. There are enough players who are still playing at a high level after two such injuries. The transfer fee at Boniface is also within limits,” wrote TM user “Bodenstaendig” and added: “I find the injuries from a jug more serious.”
When it came to looking for a striker, Leverkusen had recently been linked to Bremen international Niclas Füllkrug and Burnley’s Wout Weghorst (overview of all rumors about possible Bayer signings).
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