Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their interest in Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.
After just one season at Belgian side Union SG, Boniface made the switch to Leverkusen last summer for a reported €20m, and he has since made a prolific start to life in Germany.
The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 23 appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions this season, including 10 strikes in 16 Bundesliga outings.
Boniface has been an integral member of Xabi Alonso's side who sit seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table and have not lost any of their 27 competitive matches in all tournaments so far this campaign.
At a time when the Nigeria international is currently sidelined with a groin injury, forcing him to miss the Africa Cup of Nations, speculation has swirled over a potential big-money exit for the striker in recent weeks.
Real Madrid are understood to have identified Boniface as a possible target, while Chelsea and West Ham United have also been credited with an interest in the striker.
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However, football.london reports that Arsenal are also among the clubs who hold an interest in Boniface, and the Gunners are said to have made a surprise enquiry for the Leverkusen star.
It is understood that West Ham may have an advantage in the race to sign Boniface due to the connections sporting director Tim Steidten has with his former club Leverkusen.
However, Boniface may prefer a future move to the Emirates Stadium, as the report states that the striker is an Arsenal supporter.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is believed to be prioritising the addition of a new centre-forward at some stage this year, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah the current first-team options at his disposal.
However, the Spaniard recently hinted that the Gunners will not be making any signings during the latter stages of the January transfer window.
Boniface is one of a number of strikers that has been linked with a move to the red side of North London along with Brentford's Ivan Toney, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee.
Oliver Thomas
