Victor Boniface faces January decision as Leverkusen striker options narrow

Victor Boniface’s limited involvement at Bayer Leverkusen means the coming weeks could determine whether he remains at the club and fights for a place or seeks regular football on loan in January.

There has been no confirmed offer for the 25-year-old and no indication from any club that a move is being pursued. Leverkusen have also not said they want to sell or loan the Super Eagles striker, meaning the situation remains a matter of possibility rather than an agreed transfer.

Boniface has barely featured for Leverkusen this season, with fitness concerns contributing to his lack of playing time. Africa Soccer reported on 16 October that head coach Carles Martinez was working with him to improve his physical intensity.

“We are working and talking with Boni,” Martinez said.

That report also stated that Christian Kofane was expected to be unavailable for several weeks because of a thigh injury, while Martin Terrier was a doubt for the game against Freiburg.

Afrik-Foot reported on 9 October that Boniface had played only five minutes this season and had been omitted from Leverkusen’s Europa League squad. It suggested that a loan in January could help him rebuild his confidence.

Soccernet has also reported Martinez’s comments about what might change for Boniface.

Two possible outcomes

The first possibility is that Boniface forces his way back into the Leverkusen side. Kofane’s expected absence leaves a gap in attack, while Martinez’s public comments suggest the coaching staff are still working with the striker rather than ruling him out.

If Boniface receives meaningful playing time before the winter transfer window opens, the argument for sending him elsewhere would become less compelling. His immediate involvement with the squad could therefore provide the clearest indication of Leverkusen’s intentions.

The alternative is a temporary move. Afrik-Foot’s reasoning is that a player who has managed only five minutes needs regular matches, and a loan could provide the opportunity to regain confidence and rhythm.

That option would appear more plausible if Boniface continues to be overlooked, with the January window offering the next opportunity to alter his situation.

The decisive factors are likely to be his minutes in the coming weeks, whether he reaches the physical level Martinez is seeking and whether another club submits an acceptable approach. None of those developments has been confirmed, so a January transfer should not be treated as a prediction.

The same Afrik-Foot report also mentioned other Nigerian players who could move, while Soccernet has examined six Super Eagles stars who could make a January comeback and covered the report linking Inter with Maduka Okoye.

For Boniface, his next inclusion in a Bayer Leverkusen squad will be the first significant indication of which direction his season is taking.