Chelsea are set to renew their interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface as Enzo Maresca searches for a new striker.
Boniface was one of the options under consideration during the summer transfer window, though Chelsea instead pursued deals for Samu Omorodion and Victor Osimhem, each of which failed to materialise. Leverkusen were reluctant to lose Boniface, after the Nigerian starred during his debut campaign with the club.
The 23-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions for the German double winners after arriving from Union Saint-Gilloise in a €20m deal.
Leverkusen snapped up the striker after he ended the 2022/23 campaign as the Europa League’s leading scorer, during his sole season with the Belgian outfit.
He earned the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award and inclusion in the divisional Team of the Season, after helping Leverkusen to a maiden German title without losing a game.
Chelsea are courting Boniface, according to CaughtOffside, with the forward having started the new season in strong form. He has five goals in eight games across all competitions and is viewed as an ideal option to add competition at centre-forward for Nicolas Jackson.
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