- Manchester City are ready to add a third defender to their squad in this window
- Club have identified towering 18-year-old centre-back Juma Bah from Valladolid
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ruben Amorim looks desperate… it’s a last resort to publicly out your players
Spanish side Real Valladolid have accused Manchester City of unsettling defender Juma Bah and advising him on a course of action that would facilitate a move to the Etihad.
In a blistering statement on Wednesday, the club revealed that the 18-year-old centre-back failed to report for training, a move their deem to be at the behest of the Manchester club.
Furthermore, Valladolid claim that the player and his representatives informed the club on Tuesday of their intention to break his contract, an extraordinary move that was completed a day later.
Valladolid have initiated disciplinary action against the youngster, who has made 12 appearances for the LaLiga strugglers this term and was only made a Valladolid player on a permanent basis at the start of the month.
The statement read: ‘Abdulai Juma Bah and his agent informed Real Valladolid yesterday afternoon of their intention to unilaterally break the contract that binds both parties.
‘Previously, yesterday afternoon, Manchester City sent a statement asking Real Valladolid to open negotiations for the player for a possible permanent transfer. Today, the Sierra Leonean has decided not to show up at his workplace for morning training.
Man City are ready to add 18-year-old centre-back Juma Bah, who plays for Real Valladolid
The towering Sierra Leonean has made 12 appearances for the LaLiga strugglers this season
Pep Guardiola’s side have been accused of unsettling the defender and advising on a course of action that would facilitate a move
‘For all these reasons, the Club holds the player responsible for the breach of his contractual commitments, and has asked its legal department to initiate disciplinary action in this regard.’
Bah earned his first call-up to the Sierra Leone national team last May although he is yet to make his international debut.
Towering at 6ft 5in, Bah would become City’s tallest player ahead of Erling Haaland .
He would become the third defensive addition in this window, following the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens and Vitor Reis from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
Valladolid’s statement continues: ‘The Club considers that Manchester City, a member of the City Football Group, is behind the Player’s decision, and appears to have advised the player to take this route, which puts Real Valladolid in a defenceless position, after having recently rejected financial offers of a higher amount, even more so when the player is in the protected legal period of his youth stage and, in recent days, had refused to sign the player’s license with a higher-category Blanquivioleta team, since this would entail an automatic increase in his termination clause.
‘The Club warned the three parties about this situation yesterday through different requests, warning them of the possible consequences of their actions.
‘Juma Bah arrived at the Anexos last summer on loan from AIK Freetown. The loan contract with the Sierra Leonean club ended on June 30 of this season and included a clause for Real Valladolid to exercise a purchase option, a clause that the Blanquivioleta entity exercised on January 1 so that the central defender’s federative rights would belong to Pucela under a new contract of longer duration, and with better conditions.
‘The player’s intention, supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent, has caused great disappointment and indignation within Real Valladolid, who welcomed Juma Bah with open arms and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime.
The defending champions have already made two additions in defence this month as Guardiola looks to sure up their backline. (Pictured L-R: Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis)
‘The Royal Spanish Football Federation has just confirmed that the player has deposited the amount for the unilateral termination of the contract.
‘In this regard, Real Valladolid reports that it reserves the right to resort to the appropriate legal and sporting jurisdictions to exercise its rights and defend its interests.’
Reports in Spain claim that Pep Guardiola’s side will incur a £5million fee should they wish to break the youth contract Bah holds with Valladolid.
Additionally, the club believe that the young defender refused to sign a senior contract on the advice of City, which would have raised his release clause. According to Football Espana, it would have seen the fee rise from £10m to £25m.
