News

Why eight-time Bundesliga champions refused the chance to sign Victor Boniface

Victor Boniface has been in fine form for his new side, Bayer 04 Leverkusen this season, scoring seven goals in seven league goals for them.

Eight-time German Bundesliga Champions, Borussia Dortmund are the sole reason Nigerian striker, Victor Boniface plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Soccernet.ng reports.

Die Schwarzgelben had the opportunity to sign current Leverkusen duo, Granit Xhaka and Boniface, but rejected the chance to do so.

According to Sport Bild, both Granit Xhaka and Victor Boniface were offered to BVB, but for Boniface, the timing was not perfect. The 22-year-old was offered to the Black and Yellows during the January transfer window.

With Sébastien Haller back in the goals after a miraculous recovery from testicular cancer, and Yousoufa Moukoko remaining reliable whenever he was called upon, the Dortmund hierarchy decided to wave Boniface aside, and he eventually landed in Leverkusen.

With Jude Bellingham moving on to Real Madrid, the 1997 UEFA Champions League winners strayed into the transfer market to welcome Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer, Ramy Bensebaini and Nicklas Füllkrug.

 

The bosses were satisfied with Haller and Moukoko as their main goal outlets, with Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi remaining as options, should an injury occur. Head coach, Edin Terzic, however felt his team need a striker with strong aerial prowess.

As at this time Boniface already put pen to paper with Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen, leaving Dortmund no option than to go for last season’s golden cannon winner, Nicklas Füllkrug.

The Bay Arena faithful look to have gotten the tastier side of the bargain, with Granit Xhaka anchoring the midfield, and Boniface firing the team to top spot in the German top-flight.

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Share
Published by
Adefolahan Guerreiro

Recent Posts

Alonso’s Boniface mistake & other talking points as Lookman powers Atalanta past Bayer Leverkusen in Europa League final

Ademola Lookman delivered a performance for the ages to help Atalanta claim their first-ever European… Read More

5 hours ago

Ademola Lookman breaks UEFA Europa League record with hattrick against Boniface’s Leverkusen

Super Eagles and Atalanta winger, Ademola Olajade Lookman, became the first man in the history… Read More

5 hours ago

Hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman makes history with Atalanta, ends Bayer Leverkusen’s celestial run in Europa final

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman scored a hattrick for Atalanta to help them to a… Read More

6 hours ago

Photos: Super Falcons star Deborah Abiodun debuts as DJ Saint

Super Falcons star Deborah Abiodun is taking her interest in disk jockeying to the next… Read More

7 hours ago

Will Pochettino’s exit affect Victor Osimhen’s potential move to Chelsea?

The unexpected departure of Mauricio Pochettino as manager of Chelsea Football Club has sparked questions… Read More

9 hours ago

FIFA changes official for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Benin

World football governing body FIFA have announced a change in referees for Nigeria's crucial 2026… Read More

9 hours ago