Victor Boniface is the new darling of Nigerian football, and while Super Eagles fans are gushing at his potential, it seems top European clubs have taken notice.
If the latest reports are anything to go by, Victor Boniface could be on his way to the Spanish capital as early as next summer.
Reports suggest that Spanish giants Real Madrid are looking into the possibility of bringing the Bayer Leverkusen forward to the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.
Los Blancos desperately need a striker to lead their front line next season and have a few names on their hit list.
The 14-time Champions League winners are reportedly targeting Victor Boniface.
Victor Boniface over Kylian Mbappe
It has been a case of Russian Roulette for Real Madrid in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe.
It is no secret that Florentino Perez is a massive fan of the France international and is ready to pull out all the stops to bring him to the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos have come close on two occasions to signing the Paris Saint Germain forward but have returned empty-handed.
It seems their race for Mbappe is over, and Perez may be accepting he might not get his dream forward.
Real Madrid have drawn up alternatives for the forward, which includes Serhou Guirassy (VFB Stuttgart), Victor Osimhen (Napoli) and Victor Boniface (Beyer Leverkusen).
Victor Boniface has been in top form this season and has scored several goals.
He is third on the Bundesliga top scorers chart with seven goals and is behind Harry Kane (8) and Serhou Guirassy (13).
One of the reasons Los Merengues is losing interest in Mbappe is that he has become a controversial figure. It has seen the board start to lose interest in the France international.
Mbappe has generated plenty of negative reviews in recent years and has become a massive turn-off for the Spanish giants.
Kylian Mbappe has an insane big game catalogue… pic.twitter.com/y0jVD8FbvK
— ً (@absolutenzo) October 16, 2023
Why Boniface is a better option than Victor Osimhen
Reports suggest that Real Madrid also have an eye on Napoli star forward Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian forward having issues with his club.
The former Lille forward is also an option for Los Blancos, but Victor Boniface ticks more boxes than Osimhen.
For one, Boniface is younger than Osimhen and has started life brightly in the Bundesliga. He has every ingredient to be a world-class star.
Despite leading the Partenopei to their first league title in 33 years, Osimhen has a little baggage.
Osimhen has shown over the years that he is injury-prone, and these injuries keep him on the sidelines for lengthy periods.
Victor Boniface is also more versatile than Osimhen, as he can play anywhere across the frontline.
Victor Boniface would be a good fit for Los Blancos.
Victor Boniface is a very athletic striker, however his sense of space and anticipation makes him really special. He represents high quality of individual, positional concepts for CF. @boniface_jrn @slawekmorawski
📽 via @mfbnTVpic.twitter.com/HCYxgJPBtV
— Mindfootballness (@mfbnvideos) October 16, 2023
The odds favour Los Blancos
As many players have said before, when Real Madrid comes for a player, it is hard to resist.
The allure of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu is one that few players can turn down, and many Nigerians would want Victor Boniface to line out in the white of Los Blancos.
The Real Madrid allure is a big bonus. That their former player Xabi Alonso is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen is another massive advantage.
Real Madrid have also been mulling replacing Carlo Ancelotti with the Spaniard as their manager next summer.
Should Alonso join Real Madrid next summer, it would be easy to convince the Nigerian forward.
Victor Boniface is already making massive leaps in European football. Undoubtedly, it is only a matter of time before he joins a top European club.
One little snag for Los Blancos is that Victor Boniface has a contract that runs till 2028, but it will not stop the Spanish giants from trying to get him.
Despite Boniface popping up as an alternative to Mbappe, Florentino Perez is still keen on landing his man.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 weeks ago
