Newcastle have been monitoring Nigerian attacker Victor Boniface and could make a bid for him.
According to The Sun, Newcastle have scouts observing the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker as a potential addition to their forward line.
So far this season, Boniface has seven goals and two assists in seven games, outscoring our very own Alexander Isak, who has an incredible goal-per-minute ratio.
Boniface is a “significant problem for opposing defenses.”
Boniface, described as ‘strong’ by Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso, had been on the Leverkusen radar for some time prior to his summer arrival.
“Victor’s a real problem for opposition defences. He’s powerful, quick and makes runs from deep. He has a good mentality and works for the team, not for himself.”
Xabi Alonso told Bundesliga.com
A deal for Boniface could prove difficult for Newcastle.
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve undoubtedly already seen the major issue: Boniface only joined Leverkusen this summer for about £12 million from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.
That will almost certainly rule out any January deal for him and might make a summer move difficult, especially if he continues to score goals for fun – Leverkusen aren’t going to want to let him go.
Newcastle’s interest appears to be serious; they’ve scouted him for club and country, with scouts recently in Portugal observing him for Nigeria as they faced Saudi Arabia and Mozambique. He didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he made enough of a nuisance that he forced an own goal by Saudi Arabia.
Newcastle could definitely use a third striker option.
Boniface is absolutely one to watch this season, and if his form continues to be this good throughout the season, we should be right there with an offer Leverkusen can’t refuse.
Bayer Leverkusen is a selling club, but they do so for a profit and will not sell on the cheap. Newcastle had difficulty negotiating with them for Dominic Szoboszlai, who ended up joining Liverpool, whereas they managed to wring the best part of £80 million from Manchester City for Josko Gvardiol.
However, if Boniface is as outstanding as his stats indicate, just pay what he’s worth. With Callum Wilson turning 32 and both he and Isak prone to injury, having a third option makes sense.
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