Nigerian striker Victor Boniface’s proposed move to AC Milan has collapsed after the Serie A club reportedly pulled out of the deal due to medical concerns.
According to German outlet BILD, the 24-year-old underwent four separate medical examinations in Italy over the weekend, but Milan decided against finalising the transfer owing to doubts about his long-term fitness.
Although the Rossoneri had reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen — a €5m loan fee with a €24m option to buy — the deal was scrapped when Milan officials flagged his injury record. Boniface has previously suffered two cruciate ligament tears on the same knee during his spell at Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, in addition to multiple muscular problems that sidelined him for parts of the last two seasons in Germany.
Milan sporting director Igli Tare admitted the club was cautious in its approach. “We knew he had problems in the past. His qualities are undoubted, but we needed to make the right decision for this situation,” he told reporters on Saturday.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes confirmed that Boniface’s return to Germany effectively ends any chance of the move being revived.
“If he comes back, the Milan deal will be over. It’s no big secret,” Rolfes told BILD.
This is the second collapsed transfer for Boniface in 2025, after Saudi club Al Nassr walked away from a proposed €60m deal in January despite reaching an agreement.
Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2023 for €20.5m and still has three years left on his contract. His future under new coach Erik ten Hag remains uncertain as he heads into his third Bundesliga season.
