Transfer Latest: EPL Giants Keen on Bayer Leverkusen's Nigerian Forward, Boniface

• Chelsea have been linked with a summer transfer move for Super Eagles of Nigeria attacker, Victor Boniface
• Boniface, who is tied to Leverkusen until 2028, has a transfer value of 40 million euros and Chelsea can easily pay the fee
• Multiple media outlets are reporting that Chelsea considers Boniface a viable option to African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football.

London, England - Chelsea have identified Bayer Leverkusen and Super Eagles of Nigeria forward, Victor Boniface, as a target for the summer.

Goal attributed a story to SportBild which said Mauricio Pochettino's side have noted the 23-year-old as a key target in their quest to bolster their forward options.

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Boniface has 10 goals and seven assists in 16 Bundesliga appearances this season and the Super Eagles forward's transfer is reportedly valued at around €40 million, given he has a contract until 2028.

The former English Premier League (EPL) champions have been linked with Boniface's Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen, but Napoli reportedly want his release clause of €130 million paid in full.

Chelsea need to watch their financial situation after spending more than €1 billion across the last three transfer windows and could be on the lookout for cheaper options.

Boniface signed for Bayer Leverkusen only in July 2023, but he could move on if Chelsea pushes hard, ESPN reported on Friday, February 23.

The former Union SG of Belgium man has five caps for Nigeria but is yet to officially record a goal at senior level.

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Initially penned down for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast where Nigerian finished second, Boniface missed out on the tournament through injury.

Boniface told to shun Chelsea

Reacting to the speculations linking Boniface to Chelsea, Hassan Ruth Odunayo, a sportscaster, advised the Nigerian to ignore 'The Blues'.

Odunayo told Legit.ng:

"In as much as I want our very own Boniface to play for a top side like Chelsea, I would not advise him to go there for now.

"Chelsea are a team in crisis, they are also going through a lot of restructuring and of course, they look like a team meant for the future. Every top player will struggle under this new system and manager.

"Moreover, this is the breakout season for Victor Boniface after his time out in the Belgian league, it will not be good enough to see him struggle next season.

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"Other good offers will still come in the summer and I hope he can be patient enough to choose wisely."

Read more about Victor Boniface

• Super Eagles footballer Victor Boniface flies grandma to Germany to watch him play for the first time
• AFCON 2023: Victor Boniface makes arrangements to return for final with broken leg, “I dey come”
• AFCON 2023: Super Eagles star Victor Boniface reacts to allegations of being a cultist

'I’d go with Osimhen': Cole

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Chelsea legend, Joe Cole, said he would still go with Osimhen despite the Napoli man 'falling off a little bit'.

Assessing Chelsea's options in the upcoming summer transfer window, the 42-year-old Cole expressed positive remarks about Juventus goalpoacher Dusan Vlahovic, and Liverpool attacker Darwin Nunez.

Source: Legit.ng