Victor Boniface, the promising Bayer Leverkusen forward, finds himself at a crossroads despite his desire to remain with the German club. His future is uncertain due to a confluence of factors, including the arrival of new coach Erik ten Hag, internal competition for his position, and Leverkusen’s apparent willingness to capitalize on his market value. While Boniface has expressed his commitment to the club and his agent has denied any ongoing transfer discussions, the situation remains fluid, with significant financial incentives potentially pushing Leverkusen towards a sale.
The arrival of Erik ten Hag has seemingly shifted the dynamics within the Leverkusen squad. Ten Hag appears to favor Patrik Schick, Boniface’s direct competitor for the striker position, leading to speculation that Boniface is not part of the new coach’s long-term plans. This preference, coupled with Leverkusen’s desire to avoid the perceived redundancy of having two high-profile strikers, has placed Boniface firmly on the transfer list. The club, reportedly seeking around €50 million for the Nigerian international, sees him as a valuable asset that could generate substantial revenue to reinvest in other areas of the squad.
Leverkusen’s proactive approach to replacing Boniface further underscores their willingness to part ways. The club has already identified 18-year-old Christian Kofane from Albacete as a potential successor, a move that signals their preparedness for Boniface’s departure. The relatively modest €5 million price tag for Kofane would represent a significant profit margin if Leverkusen secures their desired asking price for Boniface. This financial pragmatism, combined with Ten Hag’s tactical preferences, paints a picture of a club ready to move on, regardless of Boniface’s personal wishes.
Despite the swirling transfer rumors and Leverkusen’s apparent intentions, Boniface and his agent, Aneke Atta, maintain a steadfast commitment to the club. Atta has publicly denied any contact with other clubs and emphasized Boniface’s happiness at Leverkusen. He points to the new coach, the team’s Champions League qualification, and the overall positive environment as reasons for Boniface’s desire to stay. These statements suggest a disconnect between the player’s aspirations and the club’s strategic direction, creating a potentially tense situation as the transfer window progresses.
Boniface’s performance during the 2024/25 season, while respectable, may have contributed to Leverkusen’s willingness to consider offers. Despite scoring 11 goals in 27 appearances, he endured an injury-plagued campaign that limited his overall contribution. In contrast, Schick enjoyed a more prolific season, scoring 27 goals in 45 games, further solidifying his position as the preferred striker in the eyes of the club and potentially the new manager. This disparity in output, combined with Boniface’s previous high market value, could be influencing Leverkusen’s decision to prioritize a sale while his stock remains relatively high.
The situation is further complicated by Boniface’s previous links with other clubs, including a near-move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr in January for a reported €70 million. Although the deal ultimately collapsed, it demonstrated the significant interest in Boniface from wealthy clubs willing to pay a premium for his services. This prior interest, coupled with rumored interest from Premier League clubs like Newcastle United, adds another layer of complexity. While Boniface currently expresses a desire to stay at Leverkusen, the allure of a lucrative move to a more prestigious league could become a compelling factor should a concrete offer materialize. The interplay of these various elements – the club’s financial motivations, the coach’s preferences, the player’s ambition, and external interest – will ultimately determine Boniface’s future in the coming weeks.
