West Ham are “ready to smash their transfer record” for Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, according to The Sun.
The English tabloid claims that the Hammers’ technical director Tim Steidten is keen to get a deal done during the January transfer window, with Leverkusen open to selling.
However, fans on X are not convinced by the reports. While some are excited by the prospect of signing Boniface, most have pointed out that the player is injured and won’t be back available until April:
Damn what a signing that would be
— Nameless ghost (@Nameless_Ghost1) January 21, 2024
Injured until April.
— J.A.G (@JAG_Writing) January 21, 2024
No chance 😂
— Cameron Welsh (@cammywelsh7) January 21, 2024
He is injured
— john Querry (@jq_soccerfocus) January 21, 2024
Injured until April.
No news's here.— lee brown ⚒️ (@leebrown22) January 21, 2024
We seriously won’t
— Dominic McNamara (@DomMc86) January 22, 2024
No they ain’t
— richard (@richardduffin1) January 21, 2024
He's injured until April. Nice try
— visara57 ⚒️ (@visara57) January 22, 2024
Boniface has been in excellent form this season
Since arriving from Union Saint-Gilloise back in the summer, the Nigerian international has hit the back of the net 16 times in only 23 appearances. His goals have spearheaded Leverkusen’s title challenge, with the Bundesliga side sitting top of the table after 18 games.
It is not a surprise that so many clubs are keeping tabs on Boniface. In addition to West Ham, the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle are believed to be interested, but his injury means any bids will be delayed until the summer.
Will West Ham consider alternative transfer targets?
The Irons have been credited with an interest in Chelsea’s Armando Broja, although there has been conflicting information as to whether David Moyes’ side will make a move for the Albanian this month.
Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy is known to be high up on the club’s list of options, while Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee have also been linked.
