Arsenal transfer target announces drastic 'decision' after AFCON final

Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has tweeted that he is deleting his X account following Nigeria’s defeat to the Ivory Coast in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final — albeit is yet to do so.

The striker missed the whole tournament after picking up a serious adductor injury just days before the opening fixture. The 23-year-old watched his international teammates succumb to a 2-1 defeat at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe with fellow Bundesliga striker Sebastian Haller of Borussia Dortmund volleying home the winner for the hosts.

Boniface has scored 10 league goals for Leverkusen in Germany this season, currently sitting sixth in the scorers chart. He has recorded 16 goals and eight assists in 23 matches across all competitions and is attracting interest ahead of the summer.

Arsenal are one club being linked with the attacker as Mikel Arteta braces for a summer search for a much-needed clinical striker. Boniface, whose contract lasts until 2028, is not expected back until April as Leverkusen set sights on their first ever German title.

The forward was bought only last June for a sum of £17.5m from Belgian club Union SG but would be sold for a healthy profit should the right suitor come in at the end of the season. The player is very active on social media and is not afraid to speak publicly having recently appeared on former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel’s podcast.

However, he took to X in the aftermath of Nigeria's AFCON final defeat to suggest he was due to delete his account, writing: «Thank you X. Finally deleting my acct [loveheart emoji].”

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