Boniface paves way as Bayer Leverkusen, Southampton agree £20m for another Nigerian

Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen have agreed a deal with Championship club Southampton to add to their Nigerian quota.

Leverkusen is set to pay 20 million pounds to the Saints to prise British-born Nigerian forward Nathan Tella away from the club this summer. 

Personal terms are also expected not to be a problem for Leverkusen and Tella, according to a report from the Athletic. 

The 24-year-old will sign a five-year contract with the club subject to a medical which he will undergo on Saturday.

It’s a major win for the German club which has seen off competition from two Premier League clubs and a French side to get their man. 

Per the Athletic report, the Premier League duo of Burnley and West Ham United alongside Ligue 1’s Rennes were also interested in the talented forward.

The versatile winger spent last season on loan with now-promoted Burnley and was open to a reunion with Vincent Kompany’s Clarets.

He impressed enough in the Championships, helping the club gain promotion back to the Premier League after he contributed 24 goals, 19 goals and five assists.

However, Burnley could not meet Southampton’s valuation for the forward after a bid of around £9 million.

The club’s move for another Nigerian forward may not be unconnected with the performance of Victor Boniface at the club.

Once completed, Tella will team up with compatriot, Boniface, who also joined the club this summer from Belgium.

The 22-year-old has had an impressive start to life with Alonso’s men following his excellent performance in their Bundesliga opener last weekend. 

Alonso is looking to combine Tella and Boniface in a new-look attack that can potentially transform his team’s fortune in the Bundesliga and in Europe.

But players combined for over 40 goals across all competitions last season for Burnley and Union Saint-Gilloise.