Victor Boniface Among 10 Players on Napoli’s Radar to Replace Victor Osimhen

Victor Boniface Among 10 Players on Napoli’s Radar to Replace Victor Osimhen

Chukwu Ikechukwu
April 1, 2024 at 12:05 PM
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V. O. Boniface
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  • Victor Boniface is one of the strikers on Napoli’s wishlist this summer
  • Napoli are searching for strikers to replace top striker Victor Osimhen
  • Osimhen is attracting interest from top sides, Chelsea, Arsenal and PSG

Victor Osimhen’s impending exit from Napoli has forced the Serie A champions to start an immediate search for his replacement in the summer transfer window.

The reigning Italian champions have drawn up a list of 10 prolific strikers in Europe who could fill the boots of the 25-year-old forward who is wanted by Chelsea, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Napoli, Nigeria, Bayer Leverkusen.
Victor Boniface is among the candidates being looked at by Napoli to replace Victor Osimhen next season. Photo by Jorg Schuler.
Source: Getty Images

According to Soccernet, Bayer Leverkusen and Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface, is among the candidates being monitored by Napoli ahead of a potential bid this summer.

The 23-year-old forward has been in scintillating form this season for Xabi Alonso’s team, scoring 10 Bundesliga goals and creating eight assists before suffering an adductor injury in January.

However, Bayer Leverkusen are unwilling to sell the Nigerian striker, who is just in his first season with the club, but are willing to negotiate if a price of roughly €55 million is received for the Super Eagles attacker.

Other players on Napoli’s wishlist

Meanwhile, Jonathan David (Lille), Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord), and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) are among the 10 strikers being monitored by Napoli, Football Italia reports.

The Partenopei are willing to cash in Osimhen who is valued at €130m and will be willing to spend €50m for his replacement after drawing up a 10-man list of potential targets.

Osimhen has already made a decision about his future, suggesting that he will leave the Stadio Maradona in June despite signing a contract extension until 2026 only a few weeks ago.

Boniface returns to Leverkusen training

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Boniface has returned to full training with the Bayer Leverkusen first team after a three-month injury layoff.

The 23-year-old forward had been out injured with an adductor injury sustained during Nigeria's preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, forcing him to withdraw from the competition.

Boniface is Leverkusen's leading scorer this season, with 16 goals and eight assists in 23 games across all competitions, and his return to form will be a welcome boost for Alonso's side.

Authors
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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..