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AC Milan should soon complete their eighth signing of the summer transfer window, with Victor Boniface expected to join.
After a deal worth €29m was agreed between the clubs last night, Corriere dello Sport report that Boniface will be arriving in Italy in the next few hours for a medical. The final step came yesterday, when Igli Tare agreed terms with the striker’s entourage over the contract he would sign if it became permanent.
A big discount
Tare made an attempt for Boniface in June, but the German club had asked for around €50m to sell him. So, Milan considered working on Dusan Vlahovic and Rasmus Hojlund , as the former Lazio director confirmed before the Coppa Italia match against Bari.
Both of those operations were met very high financial demands from both the clubs and the players themselves. For the Juventus striker in particular, his salary has always been a major obstacle, while Hojlund wanted a permanent deal.
Then, Bayer Leverkusen suddenly opened up to accepting a loan (€5m) with option to buy (€24m) and Milan wasted no time, seizing the opportunity and immediately finalising the deal with the Bundesliga club.
This was swift and concrete action by the Albanian sporting director, who had included the Nigerian on a shortlist of strikers since his arrival in Milan. Even Rafa Leao, Boniface’s future teammate, approved the move on a stream last night: “He’s the type of player I like.”
Crucial medical
The entire deal is naturally contingent on Boniface passing the medical tests that will be held in the next few hours. The tests will be thorough, as Milan doesn’t want to leave anything to chance and wants to ensure they have the right physical guarantees from Boniface.
His history is well known: in 2019 and 2020, he suffered two cruciate ligament ruptures while playing for Bodo-Glimt. After those two unfortunate setbacks, he was sidelined by muscle problems in the following years, missing several games, including for Bayer Leverkusen.
The player’s weakness is injuries, because from a technical standpoint, Milan have secured a striker who has consistently scored goals. Suffice it to say that during his time in Germany, he averaged one goal every two games: 32 goals in 61 matches.
Even in a difficult season like the one just ended, Boniface scored a goal every 126 minutes played. Physically, he has had injuries, but was used by Xabi Alonso in 27 matches last season, while in the title-winning season, he appeared 34 times, scoring 21 goals and providing 10 assists.
It’s also important to remember that Boniface, if called up to the Nigerian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, would miss several games between December and January.
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