West Ham United given chance to sign prolific Simon Banza in half-price transfer
West Ham United are still interested in signing prolific Braga striker Simon Banza, according to A Bola.
The Portuguese outlet reported in its print edition [19 June, page 22] that Marseille and Roma also want to sign the 27-year-old.
Banza has a release clause of €40million (£34m), but the report adds that Braga will allow him to leave for half of that this summer.
Braga are looking to bring in a new striker due to the uncertainty surrounding Banza and team-mate Abel Ruiz.
West Ham may have found their man in Simon Banza
As is often the case when a transfer window opens, a prolific striker is at the top of West Ham’s wishlist – as it is pretty much every team.
Banza scored 23 goals in all competitions for Braga last season, 21 of those in the Primeira Liga as he finished second-top scorer.
Scoring goals in Portugal is different to doing so in the Premier League, of course, but his £17m valuation does seem a fair one.
Signing Banza would be a risk on United’s part, as they would be putting all their faith in the DR Congo being able to slot straight in.
The problem with signing striker is that they are often overpriced and will tend to choose another club if given a choice of a few.
Pressing ahead with this deal may well be a risk worth taking, although the Irons cannot be blamed for wanting to evaluate their options first.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Manchester United’s interest in Edson Alvarez.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.