It’s not Wissa: Newcastle in late talks to sign £25m “complete forward”, he’s Isak 2.0
The long and often dramatic transfer saga surrounding Alexander Isak has finally reached its conclusion. After months of speculation, reports confirm that Newcastle United have agreed to sell their star striker to Liverpool for a British record fee of £130 million.
This monumental deal brings a huge financial windfall to the Magpies but also creates an immediate and massive challenge: how do you replace a player who has been the heart and soul of your attack?
The club has already begun the process. The signing of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record fee was the first major step, a signal of intent for the future.
The move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, seemingly agreed for around £55 million, is the second, providing proven Premier League experience.
But in a surprising twist that shows just how ambitious the club is being, a third striker could also be on the radar before the deadline slams shut.
According to reports, one of the names being seriously considered is Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface.
The Nigerian international is a player that has been ‘offered’ to Newcastle, and the club has already ‘held talks’ to explore the possibility of bringing him to St. James’ Park.
This is not a new name in the transfer market; Boniface came incredibly close to joining Italian giants AC Milan earlier this summer on a complex £25 million loan deal with an option to buy, but the move ultimately fell through at the last minute.
For those who may not be familiar with the Bundesliga, Victor Boniface is an absolute powerhouse. At 24 years old, he is just entering his prime and has already established himself as a deadly and “complete forward.”
He was a vital part of Xabi Alonso’s incredible, unbeaten Leverkusen team, a physical and technical force who terrifies defenders. While he has had some bad luck with injuries in the past, his goal output is simply remarkable. In just 61 appearances for Leverkusen, he has scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists.
His debut season in Germany was particularly spectacular. In the 2023/24 campaign, he played 34 games across all competitions, finding the net 21 times and setting up another 10 goals for his teammates.
To have a direct goal involvement ratio of almost one per game in your first season in a major European league is a rare and special achievement, highlighting a player of extraordinary quality and confidence.
The natural question is: can he really help fill the void left by Alexander Isak? While the Swede burned bridges with his desire to leave, no one can deny his greatness in a black-and-white shirt. In 109 appearances, he scored 62 goals and provided 11 assists, including the unforgettable winner in the Carabao Cup final.
Boniface shares some key attributes with Isak; he is a similarly towering presence at 6 foot 3 inches tall, possesses excellent technical ability for a big man, and has that ice-cool temperament in front of goal.
In fact, a look at the underlying numbers from the past two seasons suggests Boniface could not only replace Isak but potentially thrive in a similar role.
His output and creative influence are strikingly comparable, and in some areas, he even surpasses the departed star.
| Stat (per 90) | Victor Boniface | Alexander Isak |
|---|---|---|
| Goals & Assists | 1.09 | 0.93 |
| Goals | 0.77 | 0.79 |
| Goals per shot on target | 0.38 | 0.45 |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.14 | 2.95 |
| Goal-creating actions | 0.63 | 0.43 |
The data shows a player who is just as prolific and even more involved in the overall build-up of attacks than Isak was.
His ability to generate shots and create goals for others is exceptionally high for a central striker. If Newcastle could structure a deal anywhere near the £25 million figure discussed with AC Milan, it would represent one of the biggest bargains of the entire window.
For Eddie Howe, securing a player of Boniface’s caliber, alongside Woltemade and Wissa, would completely transform the striker position from a point of concern into a powerhouse of depth and talent, boldly launching a new and exciting era for the club.