Bundesliga
Victor Boniface handed ‘one last chance’ at Bayer Leverkusen amid failed transfers
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has been given what Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director of sport Simon Rolfes described as “one last chance” at the Bundesliga champions, following the collapse of two major transfer moves in the space of just eight months.
The 23-year-old forward had been on the verge of securing a January switch to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, only for the deal to fall through at the last minute. Instead, the Riyadh club turned their attention to Aston Villa’s Colombian striker Jhon Durán, signing him for €77 million—€7 million more than they were prepared to pay for Boniface.
Ironically, just six months later, Durán was loaned out to Fenerbahçe, while Boniface was reintegrated into the Bayer Leverkusen squad under then-head coach Xabi Alonso.
However, Boniface’s hopes of a fresh start with AC Milan also ended in disappointment this summer. After passing preliminary checks, Milan’s medical team reportedly raised concerns about the long-term stability of his right knee, given his history of two cruciate ligament injuries. The Serie A club subsequently pulled out of the deal, despite Boniface having cleared medical tests earlier in the year with Al-Nassr without issue.
With the move collapsing, Boniface will now return to Leverkusen, where he is under contract until 2028.
“Boni has behaved sensibly now, too. That’s definitely not a problem,” Rolfes told BILD.
“He needs to get into physical shape now so he’s at 100 percent—for one last chance at Bayer, or perhaps for a fresh start at another club.”
Currently, Boniface’s role at the club has diminished. He is regarded as third-choice striker in Xabi Alonso’s reshuffled squad and remains a potential transfer candidate before the close of the summer window.
The Nigerian international, who impressed in his debut Bundesliga campaign before injuries hampered his momentum, now faces a defining period in his career—either to reclaim his place at Leverkusen or to seek a new beginning elsewhere.
