Victor Boniface will soon return to the field of play as recovery is currently going according to plan, with the Bayer Leverkusen forward now able to train on grass.
Boniface has not kicked a ball since January, when he suffered a groin injury while on international duty with Nigeria ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in the Ivory Coast.
The 23-year-old has since been steadily working his way back to fitness, having missed several games for his club, as well as the AFCON, where Nigeria were losing finalists.
The former Union SG striker ditched his crutches two weeks ago, in what was a major boost to his rehabilitation and has now returned to training on grass.
Victor Boniface back on grass training after injury
Leverkusen took to Instagram on Saturday to share an update on Boniface’s recovery, accompanied by photos of the striker involved in some training drills.
“A step by step journey! Good to see you on the pitch!” the Bundesliga outfit posted on the photo-sharing platform, including photos of the Nigeria international running alongside a club physiotherapist, as he gradually works to regain full fitness.
Victor Boniface was on a fine run of form in the German top flight, where he had 10 goals and seven assists to his name, before his unfortunate injury.
The forward was also enjoying a prolific campaign in the UEFA Europa League, having scored four goals and provided an assist in five matches.
Although Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all competitions this season despite playing the last two months without their top scorer, manager Xabi Alonso will be keen to have Boniface back for the business end of the campaign as the club chases both domestic and European honours.
Victor Boniface could make injury return in late March
Boniface is still some stretch from full fitness but the forward is on schedule to make an injury return by the end of March 2024.
Alonso delivered a positive update last week when he revealed that Boniface and Brazilian right-back Arthur were both nearing a return to action.
“They are currently working hard, ambitiously and professionally on their comebacks. Things are going in the right direction,” he said.
The Spanish coach gave a more definite response ahead of his side’s Europa League round of 16 game against Qarabag last Thursday, confirming that Boniface could be back for the Bundesliga clash against Dusseldorf on March 30.
“If not Hoffenheim, then potentially against Fortuna Düsseldorf in the DFB Pokal on April 3,” Alonso said, as quoted by Get German Football News.
Boniface’s return to training on grass further indicates that he may be close to a return after missing the last two months over a groin injury.
Victor Boniface have €40 million transfer price
Despite currently being ruled out of action due to injury, Boniface remains one of the most-talked-about players ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window.
The Nigerian striker’s red-hot form for Leverkusen this term has attracted serious interest from some clubs, although the German side would like to keep him beyond the current season.
Boniface joined Leverkusen in a deal worth €20 million from Belgian side Union SG in July 2023 but his market value has since doubled after his blistering start to life in the German topflight. Reports suggest Leverkusen have slapped an asking price of €40 million on the head of the highly-rated striker.
It is increasingly looking like Leverkusen would struggle to keep the striker, though, with Chelsea, Juventus, Arsenal and Napoli all mooted as clubs interested in his signature. The Blues have particularly been mentioned as a potential destination for Boniface after making him one of their priority targets for the summer.
Chelsea had been lining up a move for Victor Osimhen but are reportedly set to back off due to the huge transfer fee and wages they’d have to pay to bring the Napoli forward to Stamford Bridge.
Victor Boniface is, however, considered a cheaper option, who can equally guarantee goals and lead the line for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are desperately in need of a prolific striker.
