Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface's anticipated move to Italian giants AC Milan has dramatically stalled and ultimately collapsed, following a series of medical concerns and internal objections within the Rossoneri camp. The deal, initially structured as a €5 million loan with a €30 million option to buy from Bayer Leverkusen, appeared promising with Boniface having agreed to personal terms and the iconic No. 22 shirt, once worn by Kaka, reportedly prepared for his unveiling.

However, the transfer began to unravel during comprehensive medical examinations in Milan. Initial checks at Centro Ambrosiano led to a referral to the Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute, where doctors flagged issues with Boniface's right knee. Italian journalist Marco Guidi confirmed that the knee was “not 100% fit,” compelling Milan to delay their final decision. This was exacerbated by Boniface's documented injury history, which includes two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries earlier in his career and recurring groin problems during his tenure at Leverkusen. One proposed solution involved renegotiating the loan fee with Leverkusen, potentially even making it free, but the medical problems remained a significant hurdle.

Compounding the medical red flags, AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri reportedly expressed his disapproval of the transfer. While Milan's directors, including Igli Tare, were impressed with Boniface's performances in the Bundesliga, Allegri raised concerns over the striker’s injury record and long-term reliability. Sporting Director Igli Tare acknowledged the situation, stating, “We are checking Victor Boniface medical. His football skills are excellent but we need to take the right decision. We will make final decision soon on his medical also with our coach Max Allegri.” He further added that they were aware of past issues and conducting all necessary assessments, recognizing Boniface's unquestionable qualities while striving to make the right decision.

Amidst the growing doubts, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Boniface had returned to Germany after spending 48 hours in Milan awaiting the club’s decision. Subsequently, Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri confirmed that AC Milan had made a final decision not to proceed with signing the Nigerian attacker. This marks the second time in seven months that a high-profile transfer for Boniface has fallen through, following a collapsed €70 million move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in January, where Al Nassr opted for Jhon Duran instead.

The collapse of the Milan deal leaves Boniface's immediate future uncertain. He has returned to Bayer Leverkusen, where reports suggest that new manager Erik ten Hag does not have him prominently in his plans, potentially limiting his game time. This situation creates a challenging scenario for the Super Eagles star, who had won the Bundesliga and German Cup title with Leverkusen after joining in 2023. Milan had initially seen Boniface as a strong attacking option and a potential partner for Rafael Leão, and a complement to fellow Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze, who joined in 2023.

Despite the significant setback, Victor Boniface has maintained confidence in his abilities. He addressed critics on social media, who had been critical of his online antics, affirming his composure. He also clarified a miscaptioned post by Fabrizio Romano, which the Italian journalist subsequently took down. Boniface expressed confidence in his abilities and affirmed that this setback would not bring him down, signaling his and his management team's intent to explore other options given his uncertain role at Leverkusen under Ten Hag.