Chelsea & Newcastle handed transfer boost as striker target's price tag slashed | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen are prepared to slash their asking price for striker Victor Boniface, a report has claimed, with Chelsea and Newcastle United among the sides linked with the Nigeria international.

As was the case last summer, Chelsea are on the hunt for a new striker and have drawn up a long list of transfer targets. Napoli's Victor Osimhen was the primary option last summer but talks ultimately fell through late in the window.

Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres has also been targeted but is believed to be prioritising a move to either Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City, potentially forcing Chelsea to continue their hunt for extra firepower elsewhere.

Leverkusen striker Osimhen has long been touted as a possible alternative for Chelsea and recent reports continue to link the Blues with an expensive summer move, but SPORT BILD state signing Boniface may not be as costly as first believed.

Indeed, Leverkusen are now ready to listen to offers of €50m (£42m) for Boniface, who was on the cusp of a €70m (£58.8m) switch to Al Nassr in January before the Saudi Arabian side ultimately signed Jhon Duran instead.

It is claimed that Leverkusen have issues with Boniface's attitude. The 24-year-old has come under fire this season for a number of off-field issues, including a car accident and a video of him allegedly using his phone while driving, while his conduct during matches has also come into question after he was spotted pushing teammate Emiliano Buendia during the win over Frankfurt earlier this month.

No longer a regular starter after an injury in November saw him lose his spot, Boniface is now seen as a likely candidate for a summer transfer. Chelsea are known admirers and Newcastle United are also named as potential suitors.

Much of the speculation surrounding Chelsea has involved Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who has scored ten goals for the Premier League strugglers this season, but competition for elite strikers is expected to be fierce this summer and so the Blues are drawing up a lengthy list of possible targets.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are braced for significant interest in £150m-rated Alexander Isak, whose departure would leave them forced to sign a new striker.