Chelsea have turned their attention to Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface who recently matched Jay-Jay Okocha’s Bundesliga goal tally, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite boasting one of the largest squads in world football, Chelsea are keen on securing Boniface’s signature, as new boss Enzo Maresca looks to bolster his attacking options.
According to reports from Fichajes, Maresca, who took over from Leicester City in the summer, is interested in bringing the 23-year-old striker to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have already spent over £1 billion on new signings under owner Todd Boehly, but the club remains on the hunt for top talent, with Boniface now emerging as a key target. A £67 million deal is reportedly in consideration.
Boniface has been a standout performer for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 21 goals during last season’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign.
The Nigerian forward has started the 2024-25 season in strong form, netting six goals so far, including a crucial strike in Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw against Holstein Kiel.
His strike in the fourth minute of that match not only opened the scoring but also set a new personal record for his earliest Bundesliga goal.
Boniface now has 18 Bundesliga goals to his name, equalling the tally of Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
This performance has placed him joint-fifth among Nigeria’s most prolific scorers in Bundesliga history, trailing only Jonathan Akpoborie (60 goals), Victor Agali (32), Anthony Ujah (30), and Taiwo Awoniyi (21).