Real Valladolid have accused Manchester City of influencing their defender, Juma Bah, to break his contract and skip training, potentially forcing a cheaper transfer to the Premier League club. The Spanish side is now threatening legal action over the matter.
Bah, an 18-year-old center-back and the first Sierra Leonean to play in La Liga, joined Valladolid in August. The club alleges that Bah has bought out his youth contract after declining to sign a senior deal, which would have significantly increased his buyout clause. The reported fee being discussed for the transfer is approximately £6.75m, while the cost for Bah to terminate his youth contract was €6m (£5.1m), an amount expected to be reimbursed by City.
In Spain, it is legally required for all player contracts to include a buyout clause. If Bah had signed a senior contract with Valladolid, his clause would have risen to €30m. Alternatively, a renewal on a B-team deal would have set the clause at €12m. By remaining on his youth contract, Bah’s buyout clause remained significantly lower, making it easier for him to terminate the agreement.
Valladolid issued a statement expressing their discontent with Bah’s actions and City’s involvement. According to the club, Bah and his agent informed them of the decision to unilaterally break his contract. This announcement was preceded by a letter from City requesting negotiations for a permanent transfer. The following day, Bah failed to attend training, prompting Valladolid to accuse the player of breaching his contractual obligations and to initiate disciplinary measures.
The Spanish club has alleged that Manchester City advised Bah to take this course of action, putting Valladolid in a vulnerable position. The club stated that they had previously rejected higher offers for the player and emphasized that Bah’s refusal to sign a senior or B-team contract was a deliberate strategy to keep his buyout clause low. Valladolid expressed frustration, noting that the player had recently declined to register for a higher-level team within the club, which would have automatically increased his clause.
The club also highlighted their disappointment, stating that they had welcomed Bah and provided him with a significant opportunity in his career. They criticized the actions of Bah, his agent, and City, warning all involved parties of the potential consequences. Valladolid confirmed that Bah had deposited the required funds to terminate his contract, as confirmed by the Spanish football federation, but emphasized their intention to pursue legal and sporting measures to protect their interests.
This situation has created tension between Valladolid and Manchester City, with the Spanish club feeling aggrieved by the Premier League side’s alleged interference. Bah would become the third central defender to join City in the current transfer window, following the arrivals of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Meanwhile, City may also be dealing with the potential departure of Kyle Walker, who is reportedly a target for Milan. Although no official offer has been made, any move for the 34-year-old defender is expected to be a loan arrangement.
