West Ham to make £21.4m bid for Braga striker Simon Banza
West Ham set to make £21.4m bid for SC Braga striker Simon Banza
West Ham United are preparing to launch a bid for SC Braga striker Simon Banza, according to Portuguese news outlet O Jogo.
The 27-year-old potentially featured in a Braga shirt for the final time in the 1-0 defeat to Porto and could be on his way out of the club this summer.
Braga are planning to revamp their squad, but they need to raise funds to further their project, and Banza has been identified as a player who could command a significant transfer fee.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international finished the 2023/24 season as the second-highest goalscorer in the Primera Liga, netting 21 times in 28 league games.
Surpassing the 20-goal mark in a league season is already an impressive enough feat, and it has certainly increased his prospects of securing a high-profile transfer this summer.
His tally was only bettered by Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres, who fired Sporting CP to the title with 29 goals in 33 league games.
While Banza endured a slight goal drought towards the end of the season, failing to score in the final seven games, he is still considered a hot commodity.
Several clubs are keen on snapping him away from Braga this summer, and West Ham are understood to be front-runners in the race for his signature.
Banza has three years left on his contract and a €40 million release clause, but a bid of around €25m would be enough to get a deal over the line.
West Ham have a long-standing interest in the Congolese striker and are preparing to launch a bid, but they must move fast to beat the competition in the race.
Signing a striker is a priority for the Hammers this summer as they prepare for a massive squad overhaul that could see stalwart Michail Antonio leave the club.
Jarrod Bowen was deployed as a centre-forward occasionally and returned 16 goals in 34 games, but West Ham must land a recognised striker if they want to challenge for Europe next season.
