Nigerian striker Victor Boniface returns to Bayer Leverkusen after medical concerns stalled his potential move to AC Milan, with the club citing doubts over his injury history.
Victor Boniface, the 24-year-old Nigerian striker, is set to return to Bayer Leverkusen after medical concerns stalled his potential move to AC Milan.
Boniface underwent a series of tests at La Madonnina clinic and Galeazzi Hospital in Milan over the past 48 hours, but the Serie A club has yet to give the green light for the transfer.
The delay is believed to stem from Boniface’s injury history, including two prior cruciate ligament tears during his time at Bodø/Glimt in 2019 and recurring muscle issues. These concerns have prompted Milan to adopt a cautious approach, prioritizing the player’s long-term health and reliability.
According to reports, Milan’s medical staff deemed the risk too high, advising against signing Boniface due to his history of knee problems. The club’s sporting director, Igli Tare, acknowledged that while Boniface’s ability is not in doubt, they want to carefully assess his fitness before committing.
“We knew that he had problems in the past; we are evaluating everything as planned with regard to the health and fitness of the player.”
The proposed deal between Milan and Leverkusen includes a €5 million loan fee and a €24 million purchase option. However, with Milan’s hesitation, the transfer is now uncertain, and Boniface’s future remains unclear. Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, confirmed that if Boniface returns, the Milan deal will likely be off.
Boniface’s return to Leverkusen means he’ll be available for the Bundesliga season, although new manager Erik ten Hag reportedly doesn’t have him in his plans.
