Bayer striker about Milan rumor
© Imago
In winter, Victor Boniface almost ended up in the Saudi Pro League, most recently the center forward was associated with AC Milan (to the news). The 24-year-old now provided clarity and declared that he was definitely seeing his future at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. “Certainly, my future is here. On my part, it is 100 percent clear that I will stay. I have three years of contract, I want to win titles with Bayer, play a great season,” said Boniface in “Picture“-Interview.
The Nigerian was switched from Union SG from Belgium to Werkelf in July 2023 for 22.6 million euros. Despite some up and off and injury interruptions, the offensive man came to 32 goals and twelve templates in 61 games and 3,496 minutes of play. Boniface was therefore involved in a goal at Bayer 04 every 80 minutes if he played. Last season he was only 16 times in the starting line-up in all competitions, Patrik Schick (29) had passed him in the internal striker ranking with 27 goals with 45 missions.
“Even when it didn’t go so well for me last season, I spoke to Simon Rolfes (sports director; editor) and said to him: I love it here. It is important for me now: I would like to make a good preparation so that I would get fit for the new season,” said Boniface, whose market value fell from the past Bundesliga update from 45 million to 40 million euros. He only said about his burst Saudi Arabia transfer six months ago: “It is as it is. The change has not come about, I’m further here.”
Boniface: Change at Bayer Leverkusen is an opportunity
Boniface also sees the personnel upheaval with many well-known departures-double coach Xabi Alonso, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Jonathan Tah. “The coach, some of his co-trainers and several players have gone. But we also got good players and a great trainer (Erik Ten Hag; Red.), Who had great success with Ajax and Manchester United. There are always movements in football. Some players come, some go to Norway, then to Belgium and then go to Germany. Fight for the club together. “
Sturm partner Schick does not consider the international as a competitor, but as a “very good friend”. Because: “We push each other every day. When I don’t play, I know that Patrik is there – and vice versa. That has to be. Every coach has his ideas. In Belgium I have often played hung up or on the side, even in Leverkusen,” said Boniface. With Schick, he was in eleven games at Bayer 04 so far and over 322 minutes together on the pitch. “Remember our 4: 3 in Stuttgart? We played together and played one of the best games of the season,” said Boniface, who played a goal in this game on matchday 26, while Schick scored the winning gate.