Striker Simon Banza, who has played in a World Cup, was offered to Flamengo. However, the Rio-based club rejected the player, as they are seeking a different profile to reinforce their attacking line.
Flamengo remains active in the transfer market, specifically searching for a center-forward to serve as an alternative or complement to Pedro. The activity among agents is intense during this period, with various names being suggested to the board in an attempt to fill this void in the squad of the current continental champions.
Recently, one of the names linked to the club was Simon Banza, the DR Congo striker who competed in the last World Cup. However, reports indicate that the Rio club showed no interest in signing the player, assessing that his playing style does not align with their desired profile.
Striker Profile and Flamengo’s Assessment
Simon Banza, 30, currently plays for Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates. During his participation in the last World Cup, he appeared in two matches without recording any goals or assists. The assessment by Flamengo’s football department, as reported by journalist Venê Casagrande, was that while Banza is a talented player, his characteristics are closer to those of a winger like Bruno Henrique than a penalty-box striker like Pedro.
Career and Success in Portugal and Turkey
Banza’s career includes stints at several European clubs, such as Lens (FRA), Famalicão (POR), Braga (POR), and Trabzonspor (TUR). It was with the Turkish side in the 2024/25 season that the striker had his most productive run, scoring 22 goals and providing six assists in 27 matches. Last season at Al Jazira, he found the net nine times in 23 appearances.
The Search for Reinforcements and Tight Deadlines
After pursuing higher-profile names like Thiago Almada and Luiz Henrique, Flamengo is now scouting the market for lesser-known players with potential for development and future resale value. Monitoring is focused primarily on young Argentine players. To date, however, no concrete negotiations have been confirmed.
Transfer Window and Libertadores Challenges
Pressure to sign new players is intensified by the short duration of the transfer window, which closes on September 11. Additionally, Flamengo faces a deadline for registering players for the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, where they will face Independiente del Valle (EQU). The match dates, to be set by CONMEBOL, are expected to be between September 8 and 10, adding urgency to the search for new talent.
“Banza’s numbers are quite good. But, with all due respect, a player who isn’t even a starter for DR Congo shouldn’t be at a level to play for Flamengo. I haven’t watched him play, but the fact that he was a bench player in the World Cup is a significant detail. He came on for the final five minutes against Portugal in the opener and then played 33 minutes against Colombia. He didn’t even leave the bench against Uzbekistan or England. If he were younger, it might be a gamble worth taking, but at 30, it would be a risk.”
This assessment was shared by the M360 Team, highlighting the technical analysis and the risk-reward profile for the club.
The rejection of Simon Banza reinforces Flamengo’s strategy of targeting players who fit the team’s tactical needs precisely, especially for the center-forward position. With the transfer window closing and the Copa Libertadores challenges approaching, the board has a tight window to find the ideal reinforcements to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season. The expectation remains for surgical, well-planned moves aligned with the club’s long-term strategy.
