Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has detailed the circumstances surrounding AC Milan's decision to call off their loan deal for Victor Boniface during the summer.

The Nigerian international was close to joining the Rossoneri from Bayer Leverkusen, but the deal fell through following a thorough medical assessment of his physical condition.

Speaking in an interview with Milan Vibes, Di Marzio disclosed that Milan was well aware of Boniface's injury history and decided to exercise caution before finalizing the deal.

“With Boniface, Milan was aware of the physical issues the player had faced. We’re not talking about a club that didn’t know his medical history and career path,” Di Marzio said.

“They simply wanted to be extra sure about his physical condition, also looking ahead to the future, even though it was a loan.”

“Sometimes, when you invest €40 million to buy a player, past problems weigh even more, but in this case—regardless of it being a loan—after reviewing his medical record, both past and present, the club decided to move towards a player who was more ready and could provide stronger guarantees,” he added.

Di Marzio also shed light on why Milan chose to conduct the medicals in Italy rather than in Germany.

“It wasn’t ideal, in terms of form, to have the player arrive and then send him back, but it was a more transparent and less hypocritical approach than others who conduct medicals abroad and keep quiet when a deal falls through,” he said.

“Here, everyone knew the player had arrived, and the club made a decision. It’s unfortunate for the player because I know he was eager to wear the Milan shirt.”

“These things happen, just like with Harder, who had a contract practically signed and documents already exchanged.”