Bayer Leverkusen make Victor Boniface transfer U-turn, reveal hidden contract detail

Bayer Leverkusen have changed their position on Victor Boniface and are now considering keeping the Nigeria striker at the club, just days after a summer exit looked likely, Soccernet.ng reports.

Boniface joined Leverkusen from Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 and powered the Germans to a first-ever Bundesliga title in his first season. Named the Rookie of the Year and included in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, the Super Eagles star was, at the time, backed to be Nigeria's next €100 million forward after Victor Osimhen.

Sadly, the following two seasons have been hard on Boniface with the 25-year-old fumbling moves to AC Milan and Werder Bremen due to knee problems. However, there may be a turn around in the fortunes of Boniface after a string of exciting displays during this summer preparations with Bayer Leverkusen.

According to Fussballeuropa, citing the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Leverkusen had planned either to sell Boniface or send him out on loan with a compulsory purchase clause. His performances during pre-season have now changed the thinking inside the club.

Boniface gives Bayer Leverkusen a reason to change plans

Boniface returned to Leverkusen this summer after a difficult loan spell at Werder Bremen. He made only 11 appearances in an injury-hit campaign and provided two assists. Werder later confirmed that he needed knee surgery in January 2026 after suffering an injury.

His fitness has improved since then. Boniface completed Leverkusen's full summer preparation without problems and missed only one day of training.

He also scored the winning goal in Leverkusen's 2-1 friendly victory at Newcastle United on 16 August. Boniface struck in the 82nd minute at St James' Park after Ibrahim Maza had put Bayer ahead and Malick Thiaw had equalised. The goal added to an encouraging pre-season. Boniface had already scored twice in Leverkusen's 7-0 win over Sportfreunde Baumberg in mid July.

Bayer Leverkusen reveal new contract extension deal

There is also a new contract detail that changes Leverkusen's position. The club has confirmed that Boniface's deal does not expire in 2028, as previously listed by several public databases. His contract actually runs until June 2029.

That gives Leverkusen more control. They can keep Boniface for the 2026-27 season and still have two years left on his deal next summer if they decide to sell him.

Boniface joined Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2023 for about €20m and initially signed until 2028. He scored 32 goals in 61 competitive games for Bayer before his loan move to Bremen.

The Bundesliga season starts soon, with Leverkusen also facing a DFB-Pokal first-round tie at Wehen Wiesbaden on 22 August. Boniface now has a fresh chance to prove that his future belongs in Leverkusen.