Man City accused of persuading transfer target, 18, to buy out his contract as Real Valladolid threaten legal action
MANCHESTER City have been slammed over the potential signing of young defender Juma Bah.
Spanish side Real Valladolid are accusing City of persuading Bah to buy out his own youth contract in order to secure a move to the Etihad.
And Valladolid have threatened to take legal action against the centre back, 18, for breach of contract.
According to reports in Spain, City were in talks with the LaLiga side for a deal worth up to £6.75m.
But Sierra Leone-born Bah, 18, and his representatives informed Valladolid that they were instead going to pay up the terms of his current youth contract at a cost of around £5m.
And Valladolid are furious, because Bah has refused to sign a pro deal that would have cost more to buy out.
The Spanish club issued a stern statement, saying: “Abdulai Juma Bah and his agent informed Real Valladolid yesterday evening of their intention to unilaterally break the contract that binds both parties.
“Previously, yesterday evening, 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 report to his workplace for morning training. 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.
“The player’s intention, supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent, has caused great disappointment and indignation at the club.
“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 legally protected period of his youth stage.
“And, in recent days, had refused to sign the professional player’s licence, as this would entail an automatic increase in his termination clause.
“Manchester City seems to have advised the player to adopt this path that puts Real Valladolid in a helpless situation.
“The player’s intention, supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent, has caused great disappointment and indignation within Real Valladolid.
“Real Valladolid will resort to the appropriate legal and sporting jurisdictions to exercise its rights and defend its interests.”
Man City have declined to comment.
Bah arrived at Valladolid on loan last summer from AIK Freetown in his native Sierra Leone.
The 6ft 5in centre back was so impressive that on January 1 the La Liga club exercised its right to buy him for a fee of about £840,000.
If City complete a deal for Bah, he is expected to go straight out on loan to Lens after the French club sold centre half Abdukodir Khusanov to the Premier League champions earlier this week.