Tag: Victor Boniface

The Sporting Director of Bayer Leverkusen, Simon Rolfes, has confirmed that Nigeria international forward Victor Boniface will remain at the club beyond this summer transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Boniface saw an already agreed move to Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr collapse after all terms had been agreed, with the Saudis opting for Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran, leaving the future of Boniface in doubt.

He was integrated back into the team, but couldn’t reclaim his spot in the team, leading to speculations that he will be on the move in the summer, but it looks like the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid has worked in his favour.

According to Rolfes, Boniface can play with Patrik Schick in a two-man attack under new coach Erik Ten Hag, something Alonso didn’t do very often during his time as coach.

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“Patrik [Schick] will stay, that’s for sure. Unfortunately, Xabi [Alonso] didn’t try playing them together up front very often. Boni also played in a two-man attack in Belgium. He’s not a number nine who just stands up front. He also likes to move out to the wings”, he said

“That has already worked well with both of them together. In Stuttgart, for example, Boni came on, and then he and Patrik turned the game around together. The key thing is that they are in top shape. Erik will be more flexible there, and they will also get the chance to play together.”

Victor Boniface latest suitors are Premier League club Newcastle United and according to reports they have stepped up their pursuit for the Bayer Leverkusen striker.

Africa Foot has reported Newcastle are seriously interested in signing Victor Boniface.

Read Also: Victor Boniface did not suffer major injury – Bayer Leverkusen

The Leverkusen price tag for the striker is 50 Million Euros and he has a contract until 2028.

In January, he missed out on a lucrative transfer to Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia.

Reports have also linked the Super Eagles striker to Real Madrid, where his coach at Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso, is believed to be headed.

• By Daniel Akinte

Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, said his side is not giving up on the title race despite being eight points behind the Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

With four matches to go, Bayern are looking forward to running away with the title, but Boniface believes the race is not over yet for the defending champions.

In his words: “It’s been a good season. Compared to what we did last season, everybody’s expecting us to do the same, and we tried. We gave everything, and we’re still in the title race, no matter that there are only four games left. For me, it’s been a good season, but we could have done better in some games, like the DFB Cup. It’s football, but in general, I think it’s an okay season.”

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After 20 months in the Leverkusen shirt, the Super Eagles forward is happy with how his career is going, and his goal is to improve and join Leverkusen, which suits his pattern, elevating him to make a strong impression in the Bundesliga.

“Of course. Even now, sometimes when I put on the Leverkusen jersey, I’m like ‘wow’. We know how big this club is, and I feel blessed. So I’m happy with how my career is going. I want to improve and improve, and help the team in a better way.

“I would not say it has been easy. But at the same time, I would not say it has been hard because I think I came to the right team at the right time, and the way they play suits the way I play. Last season, we were playing like two number 10s behind the striker, and everyone can move around.

In  a bid  to offload Victor Boniface  during the summer transfer window, Bayer Leverkusen  has reportedly set €50m asking price for the  Nigeria International striker.

According to  authoritative Sport Bild , the German Champions  who were ousted from the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday,  has lowered their asking price for Boniface as they are looking to sell him in the summer.

In the January window, Boniface was close to moving to Al-Nassr for €70m before the Saudi Arabian side performed a U-turn and opted to sign Jhon Duran instead.

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Since then, Boniface has been relegated to the bench and after two goals just after his failed move, he has struggled to perform when called upon. This has affected his behaviour as well, which does not sit right with Leverkusen, and is best shown with his on the pitch argument with Emiliano Buendia in the 4-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Heading into next season, Leverkusen do not want to have both Boniface and Patrik Schick on the books and all the signs point towards them selling the Nigerian.

 Die Werkself will ask for a fee of around €50m for Boniface, and the idea of having to sell one big player a summer will then be met with the striker’s departure.

Nigeria international Victor Boniface has broken his silence on recent reports linking him with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr even as he was celebrated  by Leverkusen   for scoring on his 50^th  Bundesliga appearance .

The 24-year-old striker was tipped to leave German champions for Al-Nassr in a deal worth around €70 million before the Saudi transfer window deadline day on Friday.

However, Al-Nassr reportedly pulled out of the deal to sign Boniface and instead signed Colombian striker Jhon Duran from English Premier League side Aston Villa.

 “There has been a lot of speculation here and there. But I like playing here and want to do my best for the team,” Boniface said on Tribal Football. “Whatever happens in the future will happen, but at the moment I’m only thinking about helping Leverkusen achieve our goals.

“Transfer rumours are normal in football. It’s always flattering when big clubs show interest, but my focus at the moment is 100 percent on Bayer Leverkusen.

 “Every game is an opportunity. I want to contribute goals, assists and energy to the team. I just want to stay fit, keep playing and keep improving. If I manage that, I think everything else will fall into place.”

Boniface marked his return from injury with a goal as Leverkusen claimed a 3-1 win over TSG Hoffenheim in a Bundesliga clash on Sunday.

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Reacting to his Sunday’s landmark, Leverkusen  via  its official  X  handle (formerly Twitter)   yesterday highlighted the achievement of the Super Eagles striker   by the captioning his photograph:  “ 50 games for Bayern04. Congratulations, Boni!!! Fire.”

Since arriving the club during the 2023/2024 season, the bulky striker has inspired the Xavi Alonso side to German Bundesliga title and Europa League silver medal.

The bulky player has 11 caps for the Super Eagles.

Super Eagles  striker Victor Boniface  yesterday  returned  to his goal scoring form  after an injury-enforced lay-off and just days after his move to Saudi Arabia collapsed  to help Bayer Leverkusen beat Hoffenheim 3-1.

The 24-year-old was stood down from training last week as he explored a transfer to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi side Al-Nassr.

The deal fell through on Wednesday and Boniface was given a surprise start by coach Xabi Alonso. Boniface, who had not played for Leverkusen since injuring his thigh on international duty with Nigeria in November, opened the scoring in the 15th minute.

Collecting a ball from Alex Grimaldo to the right of goal, Boniface blasted a powerful left-foot shot through the hands of visiting goalkeeper Luca Philipp.

Just four minutes later, Jeremie Frimpong doubled Leverkusen’s lead. The Dutchman flew down the right flank, took one touch and superbly found the far corner.

Leverkusen looked set to stretch their lead in the 24th minute when Nathan Tella was felled in the box, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

The referee explained the decision over stadium speakers, a Bundesliga first, as part of a test programme introduced this weekend.

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Boniface made way for Patrik Schick at half-time and the Czech striker scored six minutes later but  Leverkusen were made to sweat when they lost Grimaldo to a second yellow card and conceded a goal to Gift Orban inside two minutes.

Praising his side’s “total control”, Alonso said the successful return would do Boniface good and admitted his side has “some good competition in the striker position”.

 “It was important for Boni to feel like a part of the team again. It was important to play at home and feel the love from the fans.”

Schick made it 3-0 in the 51st minute also has some kind words for Boniface.

“Victor was injured for a long time and hit the target again straight away,” Schick said of the Nigerian striker. “I know myself how difficult that is. It’s also very important for him that he scored again straight away.”