- Manchester City are ready to add a third defender to their squad in this window
- The club has identified 18-year-old centre-back Juma Bah from Valladolid
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! Ruben Amorim seems desperate… it is the last resort to publicly denounce your players
Spanish side Real Valladolid have accused Manchester City of disturbing defender Juma Bah and advising him on a course of action that would facilitate his move to the Etihad.
In a forceful statement on Wednesday, the club revealed that the 18-year-old centre-back did not show up for training, a measure they believe was at the request of the Manchester club.
In addition, Valladolid affirms that the player and his representatives informed the club on Tuesday of their intention to terminate his contract, an extraordinary move that took place a day later.
Valladolid have initiated disciplinary proceedings against the youngster, who has played 12 games for LaLiga teams this season and was only named a Valladolid player permanently at the beginning 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 unites both parties.
Previously, yesterday afternoon, Manchester City sent a statement asking Real Valladolid to open negotiations for the player for a possible permanent loan. Today, the Sierra Leonean has decided not to show up at his workplace for morning training.
Manchester City is ready to sign 18-year-old central defender Juma Bah, who plays for Real Valladolid
The imposing Sierra Leonean has played 12 games for the LaLiga team this season
Pep Guardiola's team have been accused of worrying the defender and advising him on a course of action that would facilitate the move.
“For all this, the Club holds the player responsible for failing to comply with his contractual commitments, and has requested its legal department to initiate a disciplinary file 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.
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 him to take this route, which leaves Real Valladolid in a defenseless position, after having rejected larger financial offers, even more so when the player is in the legally protected period of his youth stage and, in recent days, he had refused to sign a player's license with a higher-class Blanquivioleta team, since it It would mean an automatic increase in your termination clause.
'The Club alerted the three parties yesterday of this situation through different requests, warning them of the possible consequences of their actions.
'Juma Bah joined Annexes 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 federative rights of the central defender They belonged 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 defense this month as Guardiola looks to secure his defensive line. (Pictured from left to right: 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 sense, Real Valladolid informs that it reserves the right to go to the corresponding legal and sporting jurisdictions to exercise its rights and defend its interests.'
Reports in Spain claim that Pep Guardiola's side will incur a £5m fee if they wish to break the youth contract Bah has with Valladolid.
Furthermore, the club believe the young defender refused to sign a senior contract on City's advice, which would have increased his release clause. According soccer spainthe fee would have increased from £10m to £25m.