West Ham United’s pursuit of Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen has suffered a setback, as the club has decided against making a record-breaking attempt to sign the player. Meanwhile, Arsenal has emerged with their own interest in the striker, as per reports.

Boniface has swiftly proven himself as one of the most lethal strikers in Germany following his move to Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in July. With an impressive tally of 16 goals and eight assists in 23 appearances, including notable performances in the Bundesliga, he has significantly contributed to Leverkusen’s ascent to the top of the league. Leverkusen, under the management of Xabi Alonso, currently holds a seven-point lead over traditional powerhouse Bayern Munich and remains unbeaten in their first 18 matches, winning 15 of them.

Unsurprisingly, Boniface’s exceptional form has ignited Premier League interest, with Manchester United initially linked to the player before West Ham emerged as strong contenders for his signature. Earlier reports even suggested that West Ham could break their transfer record to secure Boniface in a significant deal.

However, doubts now loom over West Ham’s potential pursuit of Boniface, as recent reports indicate that they are unlikely to pursue a club-record deal for the player. The primary reason for this shift in stance is attributed to Boniface’s recent surgery for a groin problem, sidelining him from action until at least March and consequently dampening any prospects of an immediate move to West Ham.

With West Ham in immediate need of a new center-forward, they are expected to explore alternative options this month rather than waiting for Boniface’s availability in the summer. The potential alternatives include players like Armando Broja from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain outcast Hugo Ekitike.

Compounding the situation for West Ham, it is suggested that Arsenal has made an inquiry about a potential deal for Boniface, potentially setting the stage for a bidding war with their London rivals in the upcoming summer transfer window. This aligns with previous reports of Arsenal’s interest in the striker, as the club has reportedly compiled a shortlist of potential replacements for Gabriel Jesus, with Boniface featuring prominently alongside Ivan Toney of Brentford.