Boniface out? Bundesliga champions-elect ponder striker sale to fund summer spree – Afrik-Foot NG

In-form Bundesliga side
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly set to offload one of their
attackers as they plan to restructure their squad at the end of the
season.

Xavi Alonso’s side are currently stacked with options upfront
following the arrival of several players last summer as the club
began a rebuild.

Having struggled last season and only securing a Europa League
place on the final day of the campaign, Alonso led a spending spree
that saw several players arrive at the Bay Arena.

However, Bayer are now planning an overhaul in the summer and
that could see some of their attackers sold to free up funds for
other arrivals ahead of next season. Alonso currently has several
attackers at his disposal, some of whom have struggled for game
time.

Nigeria international
Victor Boniface started the campaign as the club’s first-choice
striker and his return of 16 goals and eight assists meant the
other attackers had to play second fiddle. Boniface unfortunately
suffered an injury while camping with the Super Eagles ahead of the
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast and was ruled out
for two months.

In the Nigerian’s absence, Patrik Schick has been steering the
ship, with the 28-year-old’s goals helping Leverkusen to maintain
their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga and Europe.

However, Kicker, reports that Leverkusen are targeting a squad
overhaul in the summer and some of the fringe players would be
offloaded to free up funds.

The report suggests the departures will hit the attacking
department the most, with the club’s director Simon Rolfes already
reaching an agreement with manager Alonso.

Amongst Leverkusen’s forwards, Adam Hlozek is said to be the
most dispensable. The Czech Republican has played 21 Bundesliga
matches this season but has been restricted to just two starts in
2024.

Hlozek is currently behind the injured Boniface and Schick in
the pecking order, as well as Florian Wirtz and veteran forward
Jonas Hofmann at the club.

Kicker also reports that Leverkusen are already planning how to
keep their squad competitive for next season, as they’ll be playing
in the UEFA Champions League.

For this reason, the club has set eyes on Stuttgart’s Chris
Fuhrich and Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier, should they lose
Boniface or any of their top forwards in the summer. Fuhrich will
reportedly command a transfer fee of €20 million, while Beier has a
higher valuation of €30 million.

Meanwhile, Premier League outfit West Ham United are said to
have made Boniface a primary target to augment their squad for next
season.

The Hammers’ technical director Tim Steidte has reportedly been
leading talks over the signing of the 23-year-old striker, who has
taken the Bundesliga by storm in his debut season in the German
top-flight.

Steidte is the main brain behind the signings of Edson Alvarez
and Mohammed Kudus and has now set his sights on bringing Boniface
to the East London outfit.

According to Hammers News, the club wants a young striker who
will lead the team for years to come and regards Boniface as the
perfect candidate, with Michail Antonio set to turn 34 next week,
while Danny Ings has struggled to convince.

David Moyes has often used Jarrod Bowen in the centre-forward
role this season but the England international also prefers playing
on the ring flank. West Ham are reportedly, therefore, planning a
record £50 million offer to try to sign Boniface from Leverkusen in
the summer.

Steidte has an impressive record of signing his transfer targets
but it remains to be seen if the German will be successful in his
pursuit of Boniface, who has also been linked with a move to
Arsenal and Napoli.