Werder Bremen to decide on transfer of Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface.

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Nigeria international and Bayer Leverkusen‑owned striker Victor Boniface is set to depart SV Werder Bremen after a loan spell that failed to take off, according to Afrik‑Foot.

The Bundesliga club has reportedly decided not to retain the Super Eagles forward, citing a season plagued by injuries, a decline in form and extended periods on the sidelines.

German magazine Kicker reports that Boniface has no future at Bremen and will return to his parent club Bayer Leverkusen when the campaign ends. The original loan agreement contained no option to buy, making a permanent move unlikely from the outset.

This decision now appears more understandable given how the season unfolded for the Nigerian international.

Super Eagles and Werder Bremen forward Victor Boniface

Boniface arrived at Bremen hoping to regain momentum after knee problems, but his physical condition quickly became a major obstacle. The striker missed the club’s last 20 Bundesliga matches and has not appeared since 7 December. German reports say he returned to the team in poor shape after recovering from a knee injury and never fully regained his rhythm.

He made 11 Bundesliga appearances without scoring. This marked a dramatic fall for a forward once regarded as one of Germany’s most explosive talents and is the first time in his professional career that he failed to score in a league campaign.

The decline has also impacted his international prospects. Boniface has not been called up by Nigeria since a friendly against Russia in June 2025. Prior to the injuries, he was seen as one of the country’s most exciting attacking options because of his power, pressing intensity and ability to stretch defenses with direct running.

What makes the situation more frustrating for Bremen and Boniface is that his quality was never seriously questioned. During his best period at Leverkusen, the former Union Saint‑Gilloise striker helped the club win the Bundesliga and German Cup titles and established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. His aggressive style, physical strength and movement inside the box made him extremely difficult for defenders to handle.

But recurring knee problems changed the conversation entirely.

What happens next for Boniface?

The 25‑year‑old still has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until June 2028, meaning the former German champions control his immediate future. His first task this summer will be proving his fitness during pre‑season.

A return to Leverkusen remains the most straightforward option. If Boniface can complete a full pre‑season without setbacks, the club could reintegrate him as a depth option. However, competition for attacking places is fierce, and Leverkusen may prefer to move him on permanently to protect his transfer value before it falls further.

Another loan within Germany is also possible. Mid‑table Bundesliga clubs may still see value in a striker whose ceiling remains high when fit. Boniface still possesses the pace, pressing ability and physical profile that many German teams value, especially those looking for a powerful centre‑forward without paying a large transfer fee.

A move outside Germany may ultimately be more realistic. Belgium could become an attractive destination again because he previously thrived there with Union Saint‑Gilloise. The Belgian league’s slightly lower physical intensity compared to the Bundesliga may also help him manage his recovery better.

The Saudi Pro League is another serious possibility. Boniface was previously close to joining Al‑Nassr FC in a deal reportedly worth around €70 million before the Saudi side signed Jhon Durán instead.

Although his market value has dropped sharply since then, Saudi clubs still possess the financial power to absorb the medical risks attached to the Nigerian striker.

An outsider Premier League move cannot be completely ruled out either. Before his injury struggles, several English clubs admired his aggressive style and ability to lead the line physically. A permanent transfer now looks unlikely, but a loan with an option to buy could still attract interest from clubs seeking squad depth.

Everything now depends on Boniface’s fitness.