Victor Boniface: Hannover 96 want Bayer Leverkusen and Super Eagles star

Hannover 96 are interested in giving Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface another chance to prove himself in German football, Soccernet.ng reports.

According to German outlet Neupresse, Boniface is one of several attackers the 2. Bundesliga club is looking at before the end of the summer transfer window.

Boniface, 25, has a contract with Leverkusen until June 2029. That gives the former Bundesliga champions strong control over his next move.

The Nigerian returned to Leverkusen after a difficult loan spell at Werder Bremen. He joined Werder at the start of the 2025-26 season but did not score in 11 appearances. That spell followed an injury-hit period that had also affected his time at Leverkusen.

A move to Hannover would give the Super Eagles forward another opportunity to make a mark in German football. He first built his reputation in Belgium with Union Saint-Gilloise before joining Leverkusen in 2023, where his early form made him one of the club’s most dangerous forwards.

Boniface has changed the transfer picture

Boniface’s position at Leverkusen has changed during the summer. He returned to pre-season training under head coach Carles Martínez Novell and produced a strong run of performances. In mid July, he scored twice in four minutes during a 7-0 win over Sportfreunde Baumberg.

He then made an impact after coming on at half-time against Kickers Offenbach in late July. Leverkusen won 3-1, with the former Union SG ace heavily involved in the two second-half goals. His strongest moment came on 15 August against Newcastle United. Boniface came off the bench and scored a stunning 82nd-minute winner after moving past his marker before finishing calmly. Leverkusen won 2-1.

The performances have changed the picture after his disappointing spell at Werder. Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has said Boniface is still working towards full 90-minute fitness. His physical condition is now much better than it was during the spring, however.

Boniface has also set himself a clear target. The striker wants to score at least 20 goals during the 2026-27 season. That form could make a move harder for Hannover, even though competition for places at Leverkusen is strong. Patrik Schick and Christian Kofane are among the forwards competing for attacking roles.

Boniface’s market value has also fallen sharply from its previous €40m peak. The latest figure cited in the transfer data is €5m. That could make him an attractive gamble for Hannover, but his wages and long Leverkusen contract could still make a deal difficult. A loan could be easier to arrange than a permanent transfer, especially if Leverkusen want Boniface to play regular football while keeping control of his long-term future.