Man City transfer approach sparks furious response as La Liga club threaten legal action
Manchester City have been accused of 'advising' Real Valladolid defender Juma Bah to break his contract in order to force through a move to the Premier League champions
by Matthew Cooper · The MirrorReal Valladolid have threatened Manchester City with legal action after accusing them of unsettling defender Juma Bah.
In a furious statement, Valladolid said that Bah and his agent informed the club on Tuesday that they intend to terminate his contract amid interest from City. They also revealed that City had sent a request the previous day asking to start negotiations with Valldolid about signing the teenager.
Bah then did not show up for training on Wednesday, with the Spanish Football Association confirming he had "deposited the amount" needed to terminate his deal. Valladolid have "asked its legal department to initiate disciplinary action" and claim the move was "supported and guided by Manchester City".
The 18-year-old only has a youth contract with Valladolid and has rejected offers of a senior deal, which would raise his release clause massively. Valladolid said: "The club holds the player responsible for the breach of his contractual commitments, and has asked its legal department to initiate disciplinary action in this regard.
"The club considers that Manchester City, a member of the City Football Group, is behind the player's decision, and appears to have advised the player to take this route, which puts Real Valladolid in a defenceless position."
Mirror Football have approached Manchester City for comment.
Valladolid also said they 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 indignation within 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 tied down Erling Haaland until at least 2034 after the prolific goalscorer signed a new nine-and-a-half year contract that will see him earn a whopping £500,000-a-week. " I'm super happy with my choice and looking forward to spending many years at Man City," Haaland said.
"When I signed for City, I felt like I was at home and I really meant it. I feel at home. I feel so happy, my family is happy. In the end that's what I wanted. I'm happy. I feel like a positive energy in the club. It's been a hard period - everyone knows that. I feel the energy and I think we're over that now and we look forward in time."
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