AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen reach agreement for Victor Boniface transfer after Serie A side pull out of Rasmus Hojlund talks

According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal to bring Boniface to Leverkusen included an option to buy set at €30 million (£25m/$35m). Milan and Leverkusen have started exchanging formal documents while Boniface’s agent is in Italy to agree personal terms with the Italian club.

Boniface was signed by Leverkusen from Belgian side Union SG for €22m (£19m/$26m). In his first season, he scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists, playing a key role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga title win and their run to the Europa League final. His 2024-25 campaign, however, was cut short by recurring injuries, preventing him from helping Xabi Alonso defend the title. In January, he came close to joining Al-Nassr, but the move fell through as the Saudi club chose to sign Jhon Duran instead. His move to Italy will see Leverkusen lose another key figure from Alonso’s title winning side, with Florian Wirtz joining Liverpool, Jonathan Tah moving to Bayern and Granit Xhaka signing for Sunderland, leaving new manager Erik ten Hag facing a complete rebuild.

With Santiago Gimenez committing his future to Milan, Luka Jovic leaving as a free agent, and Tammy Abraham returning to Roma after his loan, Milan were left with only one striker in their squad. Massimiliano Allegri tried to reunite with his former player Dusan Vlahovic, who is in the final year of his Juventus contract, but the Serbian is expected to stay in Turin. Milan also made an attempt to sign Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund on loan with an option to buy, but he could be on the way to Napoli instead.

For Milan and Allegri, signing Boniface strengthens their attack and adds support for Gimenez. For the striker himself, a move to Italy offers the chance to revive his career after spending much of the 2024-25 season sidelined with injuries.

Additional reporting by Gabriele Conflitti.