Manchester City is reportedly set to secure a third central defender this month at a significantly reduced cost, thanks to the structure of a contractual agreement.
The club’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, alongside his transfer team at the Etihad Stadium, including new addition Hugo Viana, has been actively working on deals to shape the next generation of the squad.
Following years of exceptional success—highlighted by four consecutive Premier League titles and their first UEFA Champions League victory—Manchester City appears to be refreshing Pep Guardiola’s squad as he enters the final two years of his contract.
The revamp has begun with defensive reinforcements, as the club recently signed central defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis from RC Lens and Palmeiras, respectively.
However, reports suggest another central defender could join soon, with plans for a unique developmental approach for the young talent upon arrival.
Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Manchester City is close to finalizing a deal for highly-rated center-back Juma Bah from La Liga side Real Valladolid.
The fee for the Sierra Leonean defender is expected to be just £5 million—a significant reduction from his previous valuation of £12 million. The lower cost is attributed to Bah’s current status on a “youth player contract” at Valladolid.
The player’s representatives argue that this status allows for a low-cost transfer, with Manchester City paying a modest initial amount followed by compensation, totaling approximately £5 million.
Since these reports surfaced, a source close to Global Soccer Management, Bah’s representative agency, has provided insights into the ongoing negotiations, offering a clearer perspective on the current situation.
Speaking to Africa Foot, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, the source explained on the situation, “Manchester City’s interest in Bah is not new, as I already mentioned to you a few weeks ago.
“Inter Milan and Barcelona were also interested, but Barcelona’s offer was never formal. So, we had to think about what would be best for Bah.”
The source continued by issuing a significant update, “Yes, there is now an agreement with Manchester City, with a six-year contract and an amount of around €13 million which will be paid to Real Valladolid and his training club AIK Freetong.”
In a strongly-worded statement released on their official website on Wednesday, Real Valladolid revealed that Juma Bah and his agent had informed the club of their decision to unilaterally terminate his contract.
Manchester City, in response, formally requested that Valladolid enter negotiations for a permanent transfer. Meanwhile, the player has chosen not to attend training sessions.
The statement also noted that the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed Bah has made the payment required to terminate his contract unilaterally. Real Valladolid, however, asserted their intent to “pursue appropriate legal and sporting actions to protect their rights and interests.”
The situation remains uncertain, with further developments expected in the coming days.
