With a contract format emerging, Manchester City could secure a third centre-back this month, according to reports.
Txiki Begiristain and his transfer colleagues at the Etihad Stadium, including new arrival Hugo Viana, have been working hard this month to put deals in place that will form the next generation of the Manchester City team.
After years of unprecedented success in all competitions, including four consecutive Premier League titles and a maiden UEFA Champions League success, it appears the time is right to renew Pep Guardiola’s options for both final years of his contract.
The renewal has started at the back of the team, with Manchester City having secured the signings of two new centre-backs, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, from RC Lens and Palmeiras respectively.
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However, it appears they are not yet at a standstill, with a third centre-back expected at the club, but a different development route discussed for the young player upon his arrival as a Manchester City player.
According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon, Manchester City are now hoping to sign highly sought-after central defensive talent Juma Bah for a total fee of £5 million from La Liga club Real Valladolid.
It is explained that the Premier League champions are currently close to a deal for a player who was previously valued at £12million. The reduced rate is due to the fact that the young player is under a “youth player contract” at his current club.
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-Therefore, the player’s camp claims the Sierra Leonean talent can therefore join Manchester City on the cheap, with the English Football giants paying a “small sum” now and then compensation – with the total amount likely to amount to around 5 million pounds.
Since the emergence of this postponement and details surrounding an imminent transfer, a source close to Global Soccer Management – the agency representing Juma Bah – has commented on the current situation.
Speaking to Africa Foot, as translated and relayed by a source, he explained the situation: “Manchester City’s interest in Bah is not new, as I already mentioned to you a few weeks ago.
“Inter Milan and FC 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 then continued with a significant update: “Yes, there is now an agreement with Manchester City, with a six-year contract and a fee of around 13 million euros which will be paid to Real Valladolid and his AIK Freetong training club.
In a fiery statement published on Real Valladolid’s club website on Wednesday afternoon, the Spanish club confirmed that Juma Bah and his agent had informed the club this week of their intention to unilaterally terminate his contract.
As a result, Manchester City confirmed that they had sent a statement asking Valladolid to open negotiations for a permanent transfer, and the defender himself decided not to show up for training.
The club also announced that the Royal Spanish Football Federation had confirmed that Bah had paid for the unilateral termination of his contract, while the club claims that it “reserves the right to resort to the appropriate legal and sporting jurisdictions to assert their rights and defend their interests.
It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the days to come.
