Real Valladolid have threatened Manchester City with legal action after accusing them of upsetting defender Juma Bah.
In an angry statement, Valladolid said Bah and his agent informed the club on Tuesday that they intend to terminate his contract due to interest from City. They also revealed that City had sent a request the previous day asking them to start negotiations with Valldolid over signing the teenager.
Bah subsequently failed to show up for training on Wednesday, with the Spanish Football Federation confirming he had “paid the amount” required to terminate his deal. Valladolid has “asked its legal department to take disciplinary action” and claims the move was “supported and led by Manchester City”.
The 18-year-old only has a youth contract at Valladolid and has rejected offers for a senior contract, which would massively increase his release clause. Valladolid said: “The club holds the player responsible for breaching his contractual obligations and has asked the legal department to take disciplinary action in this regard.
“The club believes that Manchester City, members of the City Football Group, support the player's decision and appear to have advised the player to take this route, leaving Real Valladolid in a defenseless position.”
Mirror Football has approached Manchester City for comment.
Valladolid also said they had warned Bah, his agent and City of the 'possible consequences of their actions'. They continued: “The player's intention, supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent, has caused great disappointment and outrage at Real Valladolid, who welcomed Juma Bah with open arms and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime.”
City have been active in the transfer market this month in a bid to get their season back on track, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis both making big money moves to the Etihad from Lens and Palmeiras respectively.
They have also restricted Erling Haaland until at least 2034 after the prolific goalscorer signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract that would see him earn as much as £500,000 a week. “I am extremely happy with my choice and look forward to spending many years with Man City,” said Haaland.
“When I signed for City I felt like I was at home and I really meant that. I feel at home. I feel so happy, my family is happy. Ultimately that's what I wanted. I'm happy. I feel me It has been a difficult period, everyone knows that. I feel the energy and I think we are over it now and we are looking forward in time.”
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