Victor Boniface returns to Leverkusen after AC Milan medical concerns

Victor Boniface’s proposed move to AC Milan has stalled after medical checks raised concerns, with the Nigerian striker now set to return to Bayer Leverkusen.

Boniface, who landed in Italy on Friday, underwent a rigorous series of examinations at La Madonnina clinic and the Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute in Milan.

While the first stage of checks showed no immediate red flags, further assessments prompted club doctors to seek additional clarification.

After 48 hours of scrutiny, the striker was sent back to Germany without the official green light to finalise his transfer.

The sticking point lies in Boniface’s injury history, the forward suffered two anterior cruciate ligament tears while at Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in 2019, both of which required long spells on the sidelines.

Since joining Leverkusen, he has also been hampered by recurring groin and muscle problems that limited his availability last season, raising red flags for Milan’s medical staff.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the delay, writing on Sunday:

“After medical tests at AC Milan, Victor Boniface returns to Germany, as there’s still no green light to his move. After 48 hours in Milano, Boniface will be back in Leverkusen today, waiting for AC Milan’s imminent decision on his medical tests/checks made over the weekend.”

The proposed deal between the clubs was structured as a €5m loan with a €24m option to buy, totalling €29m if triggered.

AC Milan sporting director Igli Tare, speaking earlier in the weekend, stressed the club’s caution:

“We are checking Victor Boniface’s medical. His football skills are excellent, but we need to take the right decision. We will make a final decision soon with our coach, Max Allegri.”

The delay has already forced Milan to revisit other striker targets, reports in Italy link the Rossoneri with Sporting Lisbon’s Conrad Harder, Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund, Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, and Monaco’s Breel Embolo as alternative options should Boniface’s deal collapse.

For the player, the setback represents a major frustration, Boniface had been eager to test himself in Serie A after a standout spell in the Bundesliga, where he scored double figures in consecutive seasons and helped Leverkusen secure Champions League football.

His physicality and finishing made him Milan’s top candidate to lead the line under Massimiliano Allegri.

Milan are not the first Serie A side to hesitate over the Nigerian’s fitness.; Roma reportedly rejected a swap deal earlier this summer involving Boniface and Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk, citing doubts about Boniface’s long-term reliability after his recurring muscle setbacks.

As things stand, Milan are expected to make a final call on the transfer in the next 24–48 hours, with the orthopaedic team’s evaluation set to be decisive.

Should the Rossoneri pull out, Boniface will remain with Leverkusen, where he is under contract until 2028, though his future could be reopened later in the window depending on offers.

The saga underscores the critical role of medical examinations in modern football, where a player’s durability is as valuable as his talent — and where one scan can derail a multi-million-euro deal.