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 ‘real problem for opposition defences’
Described by Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as ‘powerful’, Boniface was on the Leverkusen radar for a while before his summer move.
“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 move for Boniface could be tricky for Newcastle
If you’ve been paying attention you’ve probably already spotted the big problem – Boniface only joined Leverkusen this summer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for around £12million.
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 did not score, but he made such a nuisance of himself that Saudi Arabia was forced to concede an own goal.
Newcastle could certainly do with 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.
If Boniface is as good as his stats suggest, however, then just pay what he’s worth. With Callum Wilson turning 32 and both he and Isak susceptible to injuries, it makes sense to have a third option.
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