Victor Boniface has revealed the Premier League club he has supported since childhood, ramping up speculation that he could be headed to the Premier League.
Following a €20 million (£17 million) move to Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise last summer, Boniface has wasted no time in settling into his new surroundings.
The Nigerian striker's 10 goals and seven assists have helped Xabi Alonso's side surge to the top of the Bundesliga table, while in the Europa League he has provided five goal contributions in as many outings.
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Given his impressive form it's no surprise that the 23-year-old has been linked with a big money move to the Premier League.
Arsenal's struggles in front of goal this season means they are widely expected to try and sign a striker during the January transfer window. The Gunners have long been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen, but the Nigerian recently signed a new contract with the Serie A champions.
Mikel Arteta's side have also been linked with Boniface, and now the striker has revealed that he has supported the club all his life.
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While appearing in a recent episode of The Obi One Podcast with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Boniface admitted: "For me, right from a young age I've supported Arsenal all my life."
Mikel admitted that he too grew up supporting Arsenal, saying: "I grew supporting Arsenal because of one person, Nwankwo Kanu.
"I loved watching Arsenal because of Kanu. It's that thing that where a Nigerian player plays, you tend to support your own. Now when you watch the kids coming up, everybody, because of me, Victor Moses, everybody has moved to Chelsea."
Arsenal have only scored 37 goals in 20 Premier League outings this season, six less than Aston Villa and Liverpool and eight less than Manchester City. The Gunners are five points behind league leaders Liverpool, although Arteta recently said it was "unrealistic" for his side to sign a striker this month.
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Boniface could represent a smart signing, although he has recently suffered an injury blow. The youngster has withdrawn from Nigeria's squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a groin injury during a training camp, and will now undergo surgery.
Topics: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Nigeria, Premier League, Africa Cup Of Nations