Simon Banza closes in on transfer decision as West Ham United want striker

Braga striker Simon Banza is closer to accepting a move to the United Arab Emirates over West Ham this summer, according to O Jogo.

The Portuguese outlet reported that Banza, who scored 23 goals in all competitions for Braga last season, is in the sights of the Hammers, Roma and Marseille, but "has no objections" over a move to the UAE.

Julen Lopetegui had sought Banza as one of several centre-forward targets, but with his Middle East move in the pipeline, the Irons' approach looks set to fail.

Simon Banza set to make West Ham transfer decision now

The Hammers' transfer strategy in the 2024 summer window has been far-reaching, but casting a wide net of targets is yet to come to fruition.

Sporting director Tim Steidten's trip to Brazil was supposed to end with two signings secured [Evening Standard], but a move for Flamengo centre-back Fabricio Bruno fell through and their pursuit of Palmeiras' teenage winger Luis Guilherme has also hit several stumbling blocks [Vene Casagrande].

With centre-forward being a position that the Irons cannot afford not to strengthen, being brushed by Banza is another blow in Lopetegui's plans to begin his squad overhaul as soon as possible.

Serhou Guirassy was also identified as a target by the Hammers' board coming into the transfer window, but the prolific Stuttgart striker looks set to remain in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund [HITC].

The chasing of other targets, such as the Spaniard's former Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri [SportsLens], will now ramp up significantly, and West Ham will be hoping the first new arrival through the London Stadium doors triggers several more to follow.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers are “back to square one” after their failed Fabricio Bruno move.

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