Simon Banza: PAOK linked with Al-Jazira striker

DR Congo and France forward Simon Banza is the subject of a reported move from Al-Jazira to Greek club PAOK.

The 30-year-old joined Al-Jazira from Portuguese side SC Braga in September 2025 for a reported €8.5m and remains under contract with the UAE Pro League club until June 2028. His current market valuation is €10m.

Banza has made three league appearances this season, scoring once, while also finding the net in his only appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite qualifying competition. He has started half of Al-Jazira’s league matches and has played 45% of the available minutes.

The centre-forward spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Trabzonspor before returning to Braga, where he had won the Portuguese league cup during the previous campaign. He moved to Braga from Lens in 2022 after a loan spell with Famalicao.

PAOK play in Greece’s Super League 1 and are the club named in connection with Banza on 10 September. No transfer fee or agreement has been reported, and the rumour does not indicate that negotiations have reached an advanced stage.

Banza’s contractual position means any move would involve the agreement of Al-Jazira, with two years remaining on his current deal.