West Ham United want to sign ‘Brilliant’ Simon Banza as Braga release clause emerges
West Ham United want to sign Braga striker Simon Banza ahead of Serie A clubs Roma and Fiorentina, according to Calciomercato.
Writing on their website (14 May), the Italian news outlet report that the DR Congo international has a €25m (£21.4m) release clause with the Portuguese club.
The Hammers are keen to bolster their attacking options this summer with Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Divin Mubama expected to leave, meaning a striker is needed and Banza has hit 21 goals in the Portuguese top flight this season.
But it’s Roma who are leading the chase currently, as they eye a replacement for loanee Romelu Lukaku who is not expected to return to the Italian capital next season despite hitting 20 goals this season.
West Ham United need to solve goalscoring woes next season
This season David Moyes relied heavily on the goals of Jarrod Bowen to get the team over the line in games, while Mohammed Kudus also chipped in with a fair few of his own.
But Michail Antonio has managed just seven goals in all competitions, Danny Ings has scored once and Divin Mubama managed zero as the number nines for the campaign.
Moyes is gone and the three natural striker options are also expected to leave too, so reinforcements will be needed and it will be necessary that whoever comes in is reliable in front of goal.
Banza hit 17 goals while on loan at Famalicao in 2022/23 and has hit 21 goals so far in the 2023/24 season for Braga, with Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert labelling him “brilliant” after his performance in the 4-0 win over Porto.
At 27 he is in the prime of his career and £21m is a pretty fair price for a striker who has hit big goals in recent times, so this is certainly one to keep an eye on going into the summer window.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has dropped an “unbelievable” verdict on Julen Lopetegui that will shock Hammers fans.
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