Victor Boniface’s highly anticipated transfer move to AC Milan has officially collapsed, with multiple reports from Germany and Italy confirming that the Rossoneri have decided to pull the plug on the deal due to serious concerns over the striker’s long-term injury record and fitness levels.
The Nigeria international, who is just 24 years old, had travelled to Italy last week to undergo extensive medical examinations with Milan. He spent both Friday and Saturday at the club’s medical facilities, completing several different tests aimed at assessing the condition of his right knee, which has been operated on in the past. Despite his undeniable quality and impressive track record in front of goal, doubts persisted over whether his body could withstand the physical demands of Serie A football over the course of an entire season.
Milan sporting director Igli Tare spoke publicly about the situation over the weekend, stressing that while Boniface’s raw talent, technical ability, and attacking instincts were not in question, the management team had a duty to carefully examine his medical history before committing to such a high-profile signing. According to Tare: “We knew that he had problems in the past, we are evaluating everything as planned with regards to the health and fitness of the player. His qualities are undoubted. We are just trying to make the right decision for this situation.”
The situation took another twist when Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes addressed the issue in an interview with BILD. Rolfes confirmed that the deal is effectively off, stating bluntly: “If he comes back (to Leverkusen), the Milan deal will be over. It’s no big secret.” This statement removed any lingering hopes of a late revival of the move, making it clear that Boniface will return to his parent club unless another team makes a last-minute bid before the transfer window closes.
The decision from Milan is believed to have been influenced by Boniface’s medical history, which includes two separate ACL ruptures suffered on the same knee during his spell at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in 2019 and 2020. Beyond the knee issues, he also struggled with muscular problems during his first two seasons at Leverkusen, which caused him to miss a number of crucial matches last year. Reports indicate that the Rossoneri medical staff conducted as many as four separate checks in Italy, underlining how seriously the club viewed the situation.
This collapse is particularly disappointing given that Milan and Leverkusen had already reached a full financial agreement for the deal. The package was structured as a €5 million loan fee with an option to buy permanently for €24 million at the end of the season, making it a deal worth close to €30 million in total. For weeks, Milan had identified Boniface as a potential key addition to strengthen their attack, but the concerns proved too significant to ignore.
Boniface, who helped Leverkusen to domestic and European success last season with his energy, hold-up play, and goals, will now be expected to rejoin the German side’s squad in the coming days unless another club enters the negotiations quickly. With the transfer window fast approaching its deadline, the striker’s future remains uncertain, though his immediate path seems to be back at the BayArena under Xabi Alonso’s management.
For Milan, the failed move comes at a particularly difficult time, as the Rossoneri are under pressure following a shock 2-1 defeat to Cremonese in their Serie A opener. The inability to secure Boniface’s services not only frustrates their plans to bolster their frontline but also highlights the fine balance clubs must strike between ambition in the transfer market and caution when medical risks are involved.