Milan, Italy – The world of football transfers is a whirlwind of negotiations, hopes, and, sometimes, heartbreak.
This past August, fans of AC Milan were buzzing with anticipation as Nigerian striker Victor Boniface, 24, seemed on the brink of a move from Bayer Leverkusen to the storied Italian club.
The deal, a €5 million loan with a €24 million option to buy, looked to be a perfect fit, offering Milan a much-needed boost to their attack.
But the whirlwind came to an abrupt stop. After a series of highly publicized medical examinations in Milan, the transfer collapsed.
While Boniface had agreed to personal terms and was ready to embrace a new challenge, concerns over his health ultimately proved to be the dealbreaker.
So, what exactly went wrong? The answer lies in the club’s medical wing and a history of significant injuries.
The Medical Red Flags
The primary reason for the collapse was Boniface’s failure to pass AC Milan’s rigorous medical tests. The club’s medical staff took a deep dive into the striker’s history, and what they found raised serious concerns about his long-term fitness and durability.
- Two ACL Tears: During his time at Bodø/Glimt, Boniface suffered two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in his right knee, one in 2019 and another in 2020. This type of injury is severe and often leads to long-term concerns about knee stability, a critical factor for a forward who relies on explosive movements.
- Recurring Muscle Issues: His time at Bayer Leverkusen wasn’t without its own problems. Boniface had been plagued by recurring muscle injuries, including groin issues, which forced him to miss several games last season.
- Lack of Match Fitness: Adding to the concern was his recent lack of match fitness. He had reportedly fallen to third in the pecking order at Leverkusen, behind Patrik Schick due to fitness concerns.
Boniface spent two days undergoing multiple rounds of medical assessments in Milan, with the final examination performed by a trusted orthopedic surgeon who was called back from vacation specifically for the occasion.
The intense scrutiny of his right knee yielded results that were either inconclusive or simply raised too many red flags, leading Milan to question his ability to withstand the physical demands of Serie A.
Milan’s Cautious Approach
AC Milan’s decision to walk away wasn’t made lightly.
It was a calculated move driven by a history of strategic decision-making and a desire to protect a significant investment.
Sporting director Igli Tare and manager Massimiliano Allegri were reportedly wary of Boniface’s injury record.
The two prior ACL tears and recent muscle problems painted a picture of a high-risk player, and the club was not willing to gamble on a potential long-term injury that could derail their season.
In a statement, Tare emphasized the club’s need to be thorough, saying, “His qualities are undoubted.
We are just trying to make the right decision for this situation.”
This cautious approach reflects a broader trend in modern football, where the medical examination has become a final, and often decisive, hurdle in the transfer process.
The club was also criticized for its handling of the transfer’s public nature. Boniface’s highly publicized arrival in Milan created a media frenzy, building fan expectations that only amplified the disappointment when the deal fell through.
Ideally, preliminary medical checks should be done with more discretion to avoid this kind of public scrutiny if a deal doesn’t materialize.
The Aftermath and What’s Next
On August 24, 2025, the news was official. Transfer experts like Fabrizio Romano and German outlet Kicker confirmed the deal was off. Boniface returned to Germany to rejoin Bayer Leverkusen, where he is under contract until 2028.
The deal with AC Milan, according to Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes, was now over.
For Boniface, this is a significant setback. It marks the second high-profile transfer to fall through this year, following a €70 million deal with Al-Nassr in January 2025.
His immediate future at Leverkusen is now uncertain, as he is currently behind two other strikers in the pecking order.
As for AC Milan, the search for a new striker continues as the transfer window draws to a close.
The collapsed deal serves as a powerful reminder of how modern football has evolved, with medical evaluations now playing a crucial role in protecting club investments.
While the excitement of a new signing is palpable, the long-term health and reliability of a player are paramount.
In the case of Victor Boniface and AC Milan, a promising transfer came to an end not on the pitch, but in the doctor’s office.
