As the football season beckons, AC Milan finds itself at a critical juncture, navigating the treacherous waters of the transfer market. With grand ambitions for both domestic glory in Serie A and a deep run in the Champions League, the club`s strategy hinges on a singular, pressing demand from its manager, Massimiliano Allegri: a potent, “box-dwelling” striker capable of delivering twenty goals a season. However, the pursuit of this crucial piece of the puzzle appears to be encountering significant turbulence, particularly concerning their primary target, Victor Boniface.
The Elusive Number Nine: Allegri`s Clear Mandate
Allegri has consistently maintained confidence in the existing squad`s overall quality, yet he has always underscored the non-negotiable need for a robust attacking spearhead. This isn`t just about adding depth; it`s about introducing a specific profile—a traditional center-forward who thrives within the penalty area, a stark contrast to players like Santi Gimenez, who prefers to roam and create space away from the goal. While Gimenez offers valuable versatility, his initial months with the Rossoneri have, regrettably, fallen short of the prolificacy required to lead the line for a Scudetto-contending side. He has, to put it mildly, not been “infallible.”
The Boniface Quandary: A Question of Readiness
The focus has largely shifted to Victor Boniface, the Nigerian forward from Bayer Leverkusen, whose potential arrival has stirred a mix of anticipation and profound internal skepticism. The core concern revolves around his current physical condition. Boniface last played a full match for Leverkusen in mid-April, and his subsequent appearances have been fleeting – a mere 17 minutes across the tail end of the season, with two matches missed due to injury and two more spent warming the bench for a full 180 minutes. More troubling still are whispers of a failed medical examination during a previous transfer attempt in Saudi Arabia, a detail that understandably heightens Milan`s caution.
Manager Massimiliano Allegri`s search for a reliable striker continues.
A Thinning Striking Roster
Milan`s attacking options have, in recent times, become alarmingly thin. The departures of key figures like Leao, Okafor, Camarda, Jovic, and Abraham have left significant voids. This shrinking pool of talent amplifies the urgency for an immediate, ready-to-deploy solution. However, Boniface, in his current state, cannot realistically be considered that solution. The stark reality is that even if he passes the upcoming medicals—his first in months—the time required for him to regain full match fitness and integrate into Allegri`s system could be substantial. This is a luxury Milan can ill-afford given their stated objectives.
High Stakes, Lingering Uncertainty
The club is reportedly in a state of agitation, grappling with these technical doubts and the considerable uncertainty surrounding Boniface`s physical readiness. Allegri`s clear demand is for a striker who can be “ready for use” from day one. He requires a player who can immediately contribute to the ambitious pursuit of Champions League qualification and, perhaps more audaciously, the Scudetto dream. Relying on a player who requires an extended recovery and acclimatization period poses a significant risk to these high aspirations.
For the Rossoneri faithful, who had hoped to see a new striker make an immediate impact, perhaps even against upcoming opponents like Cremonese, patience is once again being tested. The waiting game continues, with the looming question of how much longer Milan can afford to operate without the definitive goal-scorer Allegri so desperately craves. The clock is ticking, and the promises of a glittering season hinge precariously on the outcome of a medical report and a rehabilitation schedule that remains, for now, stubbornly open-ended.