AC Milan Transfer News: Boniface Emerges Ahead of Vlahovic

AC Milan transfer news is gathering pace once more as the Rossoneri lay the groundwork for their 2025 striker overhaul. With Dusan Vlahovic long admired by the San Siro hierarchy, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface has now surged to the front of the queue, offering a tantalising alternative to the Juventus star.

AC Milan transfer news heats up in the Bundesliga market

Boniface, 23, impressed during his first season under Xabi Alonso, scoring 11 goals across all competitions before a groin injury curtailed his spring surge. Despite those physical setbacks, the Nigerian international’s blend of strength, pace and intelligent movement has left Milan scouts convinced that he fits Stefano Pioli’s high-pressing blueprint better than any other candidate currently on the board.

Why the Rossoneri are reassessing the Vlahovic plan

Vlahovic remains a marquee name and an obvious fit for Milan’s tradition of dominant No. 9s, yet Juventus’ €80 million valuation—and the fierce reluctance to sell to a direct rival—has complicated negotiations. Add to that the striker’s sizeable salary demands, and Milan’s cost-conscious ownership group have been forced to consider more sustainable targets.

Enter Boniface. Leverkusen reportedly value their striker at €45-50 million, a figure that could drop further if injury concerns persist into the new campaign. That price difference, coupled with the Bundesliga club’s willingness to negotiate early, positions Milan to secure their man before Europe’s elite clubs circle next summer.

Statistical snapshot: Boniface vs Vlahovic

While Vlahovic’s 18-goal Serie A tally last season dwarfs Boniface’s league output, the underlying metrics tell a more nuanced story:
• Progressive runs per 90: Boniface 4.2, Vlahovic 2.8
• Chances created per 90: Boniface 1.9, Vlahovic 1.1
• Defensive actions in the final third per 90: Boniface 0.7, Vlahovic 0.3

Pioli’s pressing system craves forwards who harry defenders and initiate turnovers high up the pitch. In that context, Boniface’s data profile looks tailor-made for Milan’s evolving tactical identity.

The financial angle: balancing the books at Casa Milan

Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital wants long-term sustainability, not short-term splurges, so the club’s recruitment department is pushing for players who can appreciate in value. Boniface, with three more years left on his Leverkusen deal and a comparatively modest wage packet, ticks that box. The Nigerian would also benefit from Italy’s favourable tax breaks for newcomers, shaving further cost off Milan’s five-year financial projections.

In contrast, landing Vlahovic would require smashing Milan’s salary ceiling and potentially sacrificing depth in other areas—namely a backup right-back and an additional defensive midfielder—positions the club also expects to strengthen in 2025.

Leverkusen’s stance and the Alonso factor

Alonso rebuilt Leverkusen around quick transitions, and Boniface was central to that approach. But with Patrik Schick returning to full fitness and 17-year-old prodigy Iker Bravo demanding minutes, Die Werkself could be persuaded to cash in now rather than risk a depreciating asset next year. Milan have already opened informal channels with the player’s representatives, sounding out contract parameters and potential image-rights incentives.

How Boniface would fit into Milan’s tactical jigsaw

Pairing Boniface with Rafael Leão promises an explosive left-side partnership. The striker drifts into half-spaces, inviting overlapping runs from Theo Hernández while opening central lanes for Leão’s diagonal dribbles. Milan’s analytics team also note that 37 percent of Boniface’s touches last year came outside the box—an attribute Pioli values for building layered attacks.

The domino effect on Milan’s current forwards

Olivier Giroud, now 38, is expected to depart when his contract expires in June 2025, while Luka Jović remains unconvinced he can be more than a rotational piece. Signing Boniface would allow the club to phase out Giroud gradually and either loan Jović or use him as leverage in separate deals.

Youth pathway remains integral

AC Milan transfer news cannot ignore the Primavera graduates. Fans are eager to see Francesco Camarda, the record-breaking 16-year-old, accelerated into first-team training. Bringing in Boniface affords Camarda a physical mentor with a similar profile, potentially smoothing his transition into senior football.

Potential obstacles to a Boniface deal

1. Work-permit timetables: post-Brexit regulations still complicate EU-wide processing for non-EU players, though Milan’s legal department remains confident they can finalise paperwork within weeks.
2. Agent fees: Boniface’s entourage seek a commission close to €6 million, reminiscent of deals that stalled past Milan pursuits such as Sven Botman in 2022.
3. Competition from the Premier League: West Ham and Aston Villa have both scouted Boniface, while Tottenham monitor the situation should Richarlison depart.

Alternative options on the shortlist

If Leverkusen dig their heels in, Milan may pivot to Santiago Giménez at Feyenoord or Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting CP, but both would exceed Boniface’s potential cost and carry higher release-clause stipulations. Milan’s sporting director Geoffrey Moncada thus views Boniface as the “Goldilocks” solution—affordable, scalable, and available now.

The bigger picture: Milan’s long-term squad architecture

AC Milan transfer news over the past 18 months has revealed a deliberate shift toward athleticism and resale value. The arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders, Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze highlight the trend. Boniface not only fits that template but also solves the pressing need for a line-leading forward capable of stretching defences and defending from the front.

Commercial upside

Nigerian supporters constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of Serie A’s international audience. Signing Boniface—the nation’s breakout striker—would open fresh merchandising avenues and digital engagement opportunities across Africa, a market Milan’s digital strategy team is desperate to penetrate.

What happens next?

• June: Leverkusen’s pre-season medicals will reveal Boniface’s recovery levels.
• July: Milan plan to submit an initial offer, potentially structured with bonuses tied to Champions League qualification.
• August: If no breakthrough, attention may revert to Vlahovic, although Juve’s stance shows little sign of softening.

Opinion: Boniface is the savvy move Milan need

From a sporting and fiscal standpoint, Boniface feels like the right gamble. He offers the upside of a future superstar without the prohibitive cost or rivalry politics attached to Vlahovic. Crucially, he dovetails with Pioli’s counter-pressing philosophy and RedBird’s sustainable-growth mandate. If Milan can iron out the agent fees and ease concerns over past injuries, the Nigerian could become the club’s most influential signing since Zlatan’s 2020 return—only this time, with many peak years still ahead.