Newcastle join the ranks of those looking to sign Boniface during January transfer window

ENGLISH Premier League giants Newcastle United have joined the ranks of clubs looking at the prospect of bringing Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface to England during the forthcoming January transfer window.

Currently plying his trade with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, Boniface, 22, has become one of the most sough-after strikers in Europe due to his goal-scoring form. After just four matches following his €20m move from Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian Jupiler League at the end of last season, Boniface has scored four goals and provided two assists in Germany.

He has already won two Bundesliga awards, winning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month titles for August. In addition to his club success, Boniface also made his international debut for Nigeria, marking the occasion with a notable assist in a 6-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in an African Cup of Nations qualifier and played two friendlies during the last Fifa window.

So far, the likes of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund are said to be in contention for the red hot striker. Now, Newcastle appear to have joined the hunt too. Boniface has scored seven goals and weighed in with two assists in seven Bundesliga games since the start of the 2023/24 season.

He has also scored once and provided assists twice in two Europa League games this season, earning a call-up to the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a result. Newcastle apparently watched him in action against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique last Friday and on Monday.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been keeping close tabs on Boniface for a while, and he reckons adding the 22-year-old to a striking rank which boasts of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. He joined Bayer from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise for £12m this summer and has hit the ground running in the German top flight.

At the moment, Newcastle are currently eighth in the Premier League table after eight games, scoring 20 goals in the process but they need to convert more chances given how much they have been creating in front of goal. They have to strengthen their squad in the final third if they want to play in the Champions League again next season and landing Boniface in January could make the difference.