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Manchester United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, who is reportedly set for a new contract at the BayArena.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg claimed last month that the 23-year-old was on United’s shortlist to bolster their stuttering frontline.
But Plettenberg’s latest report is bad news for Ruben Amorim, with Boniface set for a bumper new deal with the Bundesliga champions.
The journalist claims that “negotiations are underway” to extend the Nigerian hitman’s contract from 2028 to 2029, and that he will “join the club’s top earners”.
This is all in a bid to fend off interest from Europe’s top clubs, including United, with Xabi Alonso braced for bids for his striker this summer.
Boniface has scored eight goals in 15 matches so far this season, but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
He bagged 21 in 34 games last season in all competitions as Leverkusen romped to the Bundesliga title, and made ten assists along the way.
Plettenberg explained: “Manchester United monitoring Boniface but not held any talks so far as reported.”
He continued to describe the club’s interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres as “much more concrete”.
🚨⚫️🔴 Bayer 04 Leverkusen aim to extend the contract of Victor #Boniface from 2028 to 2029 ✔️
Negotiations are underway. 23 y/o striker set to join the club’s top earners. Also to ensure that he does not already leave the club in the summer.
Manchester United monitoring… pic.twitter.com/L25vfmjumO
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 4, 2024
It is widely believed that a move for Gyokeres – or any other Sporting player – would have to wait until the end of the season, with Amorim reluctant to raid his former club halfway through the campaign.
Reports earlier this week claimed that United have already opened talks for the Swedish striker.
Regardless of who it is, Amorim is sure to demand a new forward to boost his options at the top of the pitch either in January or the summer.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee each bagged a brace on their last United starts, but cannot yet be relied on for a steady flow of goals.
Featured image Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty Images
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