August 24, (THEWILL) — Victor Boniface arrived in Milan over the weekend for medical tests amid negotiations between AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen. The proposed deal involved a €5 million loan fee for the 2025/2026 season, coupled with a €24 million option to buy that remained non-obligatory. Initial verbal agreements had progressed smoothly, with Boniface poised to commit until June 2030 if Milan exercised the clause. Yet, concerns arose during the examinations, prompting the Italian club to withhold immediate approval. Officials at San Siro reviewed results tied to a prior knee injury, which Boniface sustained earlier in his career and required surgery.
By Sunday morning, Boniface departed Italy without confirmation, heading back to Leverkusen to rejoin training. Sources close to the negotiations indicated Milan would finalise their stance within hours, potentially after their midweek fixture against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia. This hesitation stemmed from detailed scans revealing lingering issues in his right knee, a cruciate ligament rupture operated on previously. Leverkusen, who excelled in their domestic double triumph in 2024, expressed willingness to renegotiate terms if Milan revisited the bid later in the window.
Milan’s pursuit of Boniface showed their urgent need for attacking depth following a sluggish start to the Serie A campaign. The 24-year-old Nigerian international scored 21 goals in all competitions that helped Leverkusen secure an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023/2024. His pace and finishing drew comparisons to Rasmus Hojlund, whom Milan had eyed earlier but failed to land. Club director Giorgio Furlani led talks, aiming to bolster Paulo Fonseca’s options alongside Olivier Giroud’s successor search.
Boniface, who joined Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 for €20.5 million, had adapted swiftly to German football despite injury setbacks. His representatives confirmed openness to the Serie A switch, citing Milan’s storied history and Nigerian compatriot Samuel Chukwueze as factors. In interviews last month, Boniface spoke of ambition to compete in Europe’s top leagues, though he remained committed to Leverkusen until a firm offer materialised.
Should the transfer collapse, Milan might pivot to alternatives like Joshua Zirkzee or Tammy Abraham, while Leverkusen retains a key asset for their UEFA Champions League defence. The window closes in one week, leaving little room for prolonged deliberations. Boniface’s camp awaits clarity, with the player focused on fitness amid uncertainty that could reshape his 2025 trajectory.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
