Simon Banza’s transfer from Braga to Al Jazira has stalled after the striker raised his salary demands and his agent requested a high commission. The deal is now at risk, leaving the player training separately and Braga in an uncertain position.
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What seemed to be a straightforward and lucrative move for Simon Banza is now shrouded in uncertainty.
The transfer of the SC Braga striker to Al Jazira Club of the United Arab Emirates has hit a significant roadblock, casting serious doubt over whether the deal will go ahead and leaving both player and club in an awkward and uncomfortable limbo.
According to information, Braga had agreed terms with the Emirati club for the sale of 80% of Banza’s economic rights for €9 million. The deal included an option to acquire the remaining 20%, which would raise the total fee to €12 million. Given the player’s age 28 and his performances over the last two seasons, Braga viewed the proposal as a fair and timely opportunity to cash in on one of their key assets.
Al Jazira, a club with ambition and financial means within the UAE Pro League, had identified Banza as the ideal candidate to strengthen their frontline. With an eye on domestic titles and regional success in competitions like the AFC Champions League, they targeted players with European experience and physical presence qualities that Banza possesses in abundance.
However, the deal began to unravel once the personal terms entered the final stages of negotiation. Sources close to the process claim that Banza changed his salary demands at the last minute, asking for €3 million net per year a figure significantly higher than what had previously been agreed during initial conversations. While salary adjustments in late negotiations are not uncommon in the world of football, this particular increase was seen as excessive by Al Jazira, especially considering other costs involved in the transfer.
To complicate matters further, Banza’s agent reportedly demanded a sizeable commission fee for facilitating the move. This additional cost pushed the overall financial package beyond what Al Jazira was prepared to pay, causing hesitation on their side. Despite having a strong interest in the player’s services, the club has now backed away from the deal, putting the entire operation in serious jeopardy.
This unexpected twist has left Braga in a difficult position. The club had already started preparing for life without Banza, and his absence from first-team training only added to the expectation that the deal was imminent. The striker, aware of the interest and clearly eager to leave, refused to rejoin the main squad and has been training on his own, away from Carlos Vicens’ group. His attitude suggests that he no longer sees a future in Braga’s plans which makes the collapse of the transfer not just a financial setback, but a sporting headache as well.
For Banza himself, the failed transfer could have major consequences. The move to the Gulf was seen as a financially lucrative step at this stage of his career, and a way to secure a long-term contract in a less physically demanding league. His goal-scoring record in Portugal 23 goals in all competitions last season had also drawn attention from clubs in Turkey and France, but none of those contacts materialised into solid offers. With Al Jazira now reconsidering, Banza may find himself with few alternatives this late in the transfer window.
Braga, meanwhile, will need to assess whether they can reintegrate the striker into their squad or seek other exit options. The club’s participation in European competitions means that having a reliable goal-scorer is essential, but keeping an unhappy and disconnected player might not be the solution. There’s also the question of market timing: with weeks already gone from the summer window, Braga may find it harder to secure a replacement if the deal falls apart definitively.
As for Al Jazira, the situation reflects the growing caution among clubs in the region. While UAE teams continue to invest in foreign talent, many are now more selective and less willing to enter deals that exceed their valuation models. The club may revisit negotiations if Banza and his entourage lower their demands, but for now, the operation is effectively on hold.
In short, what once seemed like a win-win transfer has turned into a complex and delicate situation with financial, sporting, and reputational consequences for all parties involved. The coming days will determine whether a compromise is still possible or whether Simon Banza and Braga must face an awkward and unresolved future together.
