With Arsenal struggling to find the back of the net this season, manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly setting his sights on Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s prolific Nigerian striker, Victor Okoh Boniface, in a potential €40 million move, as reported by Soccernet.NG.
The Gunners have netted only thirty-seven goals in twenty games, the lowest tally among the top-five clubs in the English Premier League.
Concerns over the reliability of current strikers, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, have prompted Arteta to explore reinforcements during the January transfer window. Jesus, with just three goals in fourteen games, and Nketiah, with five goals in eighteen appearances, have failed to meet expectations.
Arteta is said to be impressed by the performances of 23-year-old Boniface, who has scored sixteen goals and provided eight assists in twenty-three games for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Nigerian striker’s versatility, combining goal-scoring prowess with creative abilities, has caught the attention of the Arsenal manager.
While the reported €40 million price tag for Boniface could prove a hurdle, Arsenal is also considering alternative options in Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney. However, both come with hefty price tags Osimhen, for example, is carrying a release clause of €130 million in his new contract.
Despite the potential challenges in securing Boniface’s services mid-season, Arteta is determined to address Arsenal’s goal-scoring woes. The club’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements reflects the urgency to bolster their offensive capabilities, especially considering their title ambitions and the upcoming AFCON tournament where Boniface is set to represent Nigeria.
