Arsenal likely to finalize the purchase of a £40 million striker; player representatives were in London yesterday to establish verbal agreement with Arsenal – Deal Imminent.
Arsenal is currently facing a three-game winless streak, with their most recent setback being a 2-1 defeat to Fulham, placing them fourth in the Premier League, five points behind the leading Liverpool. In response, manager Mikel Arteta is seeking to reinforce the team’s attacking prowess by adding a new striker.
Recent reports from Spain suggest that Victor Boniface is emerging as an alternative to Ivan Toney for Arsenal. Labelled a “physical monster” by Sport.de, the Nigerian striker is rumored to be valued at £52m, although the deal might face challenges this winter. Bayer Leverkusen, vying for the Bundesliga title, is likely to resist letting go of Boniface, presenting a hurdle for Arsenal’s pursuit.
Arteta’s struggle to find effective goal-scorers among his center forwards has led to speculation about acquiring a new striker. While Toney has been a consistent link to Arsenal, Boniface is seen as a potentially more affordable and superior alternative.
Examining Boniface’s statistics across top European leagues over the past year reveals impressive goal-scoring abilities. The 23-year-old Leverkusen star has netted 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 matches, outperforming Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Boniface’s versatile playstyle, combining the attributes of a target man and a skillful forward, sets him apart. His 6-foot-3 frame allows him to play as a target man while possessing the speed and explosiveness to glide past defenders.
Boniface’s ability to thrive against various opponents and playstyles, whether facing a low block, high line, or counterattacks, is deemed a crucial yet underrated asset that could significantly enhance Arsenal’s attacking capabilities.
Despite Toney’s impressive 20 goals in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, Boniface’s statistics and diverse skill set appear to surpass the Brentford striker. With a current form suggesting the potential to be the missing piece in the Arsenal puzzle, and considering his relatively reasonable price tag, Arteta is urged to make a move for Boniface in January, given the anticipated interest from other European giants in the summer. The opportunity to secure a player of Boniface’s caliber at £52m is seen as a potential bargain.
