AC Milan’s move for Victor Boniface has divided opinion, with former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello questioning the wisdom of the transfer while Rafael Leao has warmly welcomed the Nigerian striker’s imminent arrival, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Rossoneri have reached a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to take Victor Boniface on loan for €5m, with an option to buy set at €24m. The 24-year-old forward is expected in Milan this week to complete medical tests before signing.
Boniface’s arrival comes after Milan allowed Swiss striker Noah Okafor to join Leeds United, leaving head coach Massimiliano Allegri short of attacking depth. But the decision to turn to Boniface has not convinced everyone.
Capello, writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, described the deal as a “gamble” given the striker’s injury history. Boniface has endured two serious cruciate ligament injuries during his time with Bodo/Glimt and has also missed stretches of the last two seasons with Leverkusen.
What Capello said of Victor Boniface
“Milan should do the same with Allegri as Napoli did with Conte,” Capello wrote.
“Targeted signings, and a whole new spine. From Buongiorno to McTominay to Lukaku, a guarantee at centre-forward.
“But the move for a new centre-forward has gone down a different route. Because, after a long negotiation with Hojlund, the Rossoneri have turned to Boniface, gambling on a technically gifted striker, but one that has been stopped too often due to physical problems.
“In addition, the Nigerian coming in from Bayer Leverkusen will need time to settle into Serie A, while the Dane from Manchester United would have been a ready-to-go striker given his experience with Atalanta.”
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Capello also expressed frustration that Milan’s decision was heavily influenced by finances.
“When I read that the reasons behind this choice would largely be due to financial reasons, I wonder: A club like Milan, which has brought in close to €200m from sales this window – shouldn’t they have invested in the centre-forward? The one who will have to take care of scoring the goals for the Scudetto.
“Trying to bet on such an important position can be dangerous, especially because I’m convinced that Leao’s move to centre-forward will be short-lived. Allegri would lose the best of the Portuguese’s quality, who is devastating when he starts wide on the left.”
Portugal and AC Milan forward Leao, however, sees things differently.
Speaking during a Twitch broadcast, the Portuguese international praised the qualities Boniface will bring to San Siro.
“He’s the type of player I like,” Leao said as per Sportal, while watching clips of the striker’s goals and mimicking his trademark celebration. “Great things await us on the horizon.”
Boniface came close to leaving Bayer Leverkusen in January, after agreeing a deal with Saudi Arabia giants Al Nassr. However, talks regarding that transfer collapsed at the closing stages as Al Nassr moved on to another target.
Boniface’s transfer to Milan offers both regular football and a chance to prove himself in Serie A, after his role diminish under new Bayer Leverkusen manager Erik ten Hag. The former Manchester United boss preferred Patrick Schick as first-choice striker.
Victor Boniface is set to join AC Milan on loan with an option to buy.