£17m Bundesliga goal machine's Arsenal message as Ian Wright demands 'killer' transfer

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has shared his love for Arsenal amid rumours linking the Gunners with a move for the talisman, who could be a more affordable alternative to the £100 million Ivan Toney.

The Gunners' search for a marksman this window is no secret and a toothless showing against Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday highlighted the club's need to boost their goal threat should a Premier League title challenge be on the cards. Writing on X during the match, Arsenal legend Ian Wright penned a viral message that his beloved side 'need a killer'.

The North London giants have long been touted as the frontrunners to complete a deal for England international Toney, who is poised to return from his eight-month betting ban this month, but another option is 23-year-old Boniface. The star, who is currently on AFCON international duty with Nigeria, has seen his name connected with Arsenal following a scintillating start to the Bundesliga season with 10 goals and seven assists in just 16 appearances.

This week Boniface appeared on The Obi One Podcast with Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel and seemed to drop a transfer hint as he mused on the impact of Granix Xhaka at Bayer Leverkusen. He said: "Me, right from my younger days, I have been an Arsenal fan so I understand what you’re saying about Granit!

“Granit has brought experience, maturity, he’s a top professional. We have a young squad but with Granit it’s like we have been playing for a long time because he talks to us and tries to help us a lot.”

Boniface began his career with Real Sapphire in Nigeria before breaking through at Glimt in Norway. While the forward may be a cut-price alternative to Toney, Bayer Leverkusen would no doubt drive a hard deal for their man, who only arrived at the club last summer for a fee of around £17 million. Boniface has more than four years left on his contract with the German club.