Report: Everton are now set to miss out on £17m player who won the Europa League golden boot

Everton have lost the race to sign Victor Boniface this summer.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has reported that the striker is in advanced talks to join Bayer Leverkusen and has already agreed personal terms with the German club.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported last week that Everton had enquired about the Union St Gilloise forward but were yet to make an offer, however he now looks to have secured a move to the Bundesliga.

Boniface joined Union SG from Bodo/Glimt last summer and enjoyed a brilliant season, claiming 17 goal contributions in the Belgian Pro League and finishing their Europa League campaign as joint top goalscorer with six goals in only 10 matches.

The Nigerian’s form has attracted plenty of interest, with Romano claiming he is now closing in on a move to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could be worth more than €20 million (£17m).

Various reports claimed that the Belgian outfit only valued Boniface at around £10m this summer, meaning Leverkusen are set to cough up a significant increase on his previous price tag.

Victor Boniface is one of many attacking targets Everton have failed to land

Victor Boniface was one of a long list of forwards Everton have been linked with over the last couple of months and he is yet another name that they have failed to sign.

With Anthony Elanga rejecting a move to Goodison Park and Sport Italia reporting that El Bilal Toure is ‘getting closer’ to joining Atalanta, it would be understandable if fans were getting frustrated with the lack of movement in the transfer window.

However, Arnaut Danjuma is set to join the club on loan this weekend and his arrival will definitely boost their lacklustre attack. Though there is still a desperate need for a new number nine to challenge Dominic Calvert-Lewin.