Real Valladolid have accused Manchester City of using an underhanded move to sign defender Juma Bah.
The Spanish club claims City encouraged the 18-year-old to terminate his contract to force through a transfer to England.
According to Valladolid, Man City initially sought permission to negotiate with Bah.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Bah and his agent informed Valladolid that he would like to terminate his contract. He failed to report for training on Wednesday morning.
Shortly afterwards, the Spanish football federation notified Valladolid that the necessary payment to activate the termination clause in Bah’s youth contract had been made.
In a strongly worded statement, Valladolid said (via the club’s official website): “The club consider that Manchester City is behind the player’s decision and appears to have advised the player to take this route.
“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.”
Man City are rebuilding their squad for next summer. The Premier League champions have not hit their usual heights this season.
The team is struggling, as epitomised by their 4-2 capitulation against Paris Saint-Germain yesterday. They desperately need a revamp.
City have already signed Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. Their radar turned to Bah, but negotiations will be complicated after Valladolid’s response to their move.
They will also need to look at midfield reinforcements. They could use a new holding midfielder to cover for Rodri and another energetic box-to-box operator in the engine room.
