Newcastle United joins Boniface’s suitors
Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface's excellent performances in the colours of Bayer Leverkusen has not only earned strings and a shirt in the Nigeria senior mem's football but the Big Boys of Europe football want to sign him and the latest is Saudi Arabia petrol dollars backed EPL side Newcastle.
The Nigerian international has bagged seven goals and weighed in with two assists in seven Bundesliga games in 2023-24.
Boniface has also scored once and assisted once in two Europa League games this term, earning a call-up to the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a result.
Newcastle watched him in action against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique last Friday and on Monday.
While he did not find the back of the net in both games, he was a handful against the Saudis, causing problems in their backline and forcing an own goal in their 2-2 draw with Nigeria.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been keeping close tabs on Boniface for a while, and he reckons adding the 22-year-old to a striking rank which also boasts Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson will come in handy given his physicality.
He joined Bayer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for £12 million this summer and has hit the ground running in the German top flight.
Boniface’s dribbling and finishing have also attracted Newcastle who are expected to bolster their attacking ranks during the January transfer window.
Based on their expected goals this season, the Magpies should be in first place in the Premier League, and landing the striker would be useful.
The Nigerian bagged 15 goals and nine assists across the Belgian Pro League and Europa League last term and could prove to be a solid addition to the Newcastle attack.
Newcastle are currently eighth in the Premier League table after eight games having scored 20 goals – the second-highest behind Brighton & Hove Albion’s 21.
However, they need to be converting more chances given how much they have been creating in front of the goal.
Newcastle have to strengthen their squad in the final third if they want to play in the Champions League again next season, and landing Boniface in January could make the difference.
