Victor Boniface deal now on the cards at West Ham United as £20m Crystal Palace transfer news emerges

Bayer Leverkusen want to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in January, which would encourage West Ham to sign Victor Boniface, according to Alan Nixon.

The Sun journalist shared via his Patreon on 28 January that Palace want £20million to sell Mateta, but if Leverkusen can get the deal done, it would make a deal for Boniface easier as they would have adequate cover.

Nixon had previously reported [21 January] that the Hammers were lining up a "stunning" £50million for the Nigerian striker, with David Moyes keen on the idea of signing a big-money forward.

Pieces falling into place

Leverkusen have already signed one striker this month, with Borja Iglesias arriving on loan from Real Betis, and the signing of Mateta would mean they were well-stocked up front.

However, an injury to Boniface which is set to rule him out until April means the influx of strikers at Leverkusen may simply be to keep their title charge alive in the immediate aftermath until he returns from the blow.

There is no smoke without fire, though, and Nixon's insistence on the interest from the Hammers may be a good sign that a potential big-money January deal is now on the cards.

Ten goals and seven assists in just 16 Bundesliga matches, raising to 16 goals and 8 assists in all competitions, make him the standout number nine on the Hammers’ shortlist, and he would be well worth the £50million outlay.

Not only are his stats impressive, but at just 23 years old, he has plenty of room to learn and keep improving his game in East London to make him one of Europe’s best and most reputable strikers.

In other West Ham news, the club have made a last-gasp £15.5million bid.

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