Man City in more hot water?! Pep Guardiola & Co. threatened with legal action as Real Valladolid rage over alleged 'tapping up' of starlet Juma Bah

The controversy revolves around Bah, an 18-year-old centre-back who joined Valladolid on loan from AIK Freetong last summer. The Spanish club exercised a purchase option on January 1, converting his loan into a permanent deal. However, Bah has since sought to sever ties, supposedly under the influence of Manchester City, according to The Telegraph.

Valladolid has expressed outrage over Bah’s recent actions, which include failing to attend training. The club stated that Bah, supported by his agent, informed them of his intention to unilaterally terminate his contract. The Spanish Football Federation also confirmed that Bah has already deposited the required amount to end his deal.

Valladolid have responded to the situation with a strongly-worded statement, accusing Man City of orchestrating the situation.

“Abdulai Juma Bah and his agent informed Real Valladolid yesterday afternoon of their intention to unilaterally break the contract that binds both parties,” Valladolid said. “Previously, yesterday afternoon, Manchester City sent a statement asking Real Valladolid to open negotiations for the player for a possible permanent transfer.

“Today, the Sierra Leonean has decided not to show up at his workplace for morning training. For all these reasons, 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, after having recently rejected financial offers of a higher amount, even more so when the player is in the protected legal period of his youth stage and, in recent days, had refused to sign the player’s licence with a higher-category Blanquivioleta team, since this would entail an automatic increase in his termination clause."

Valladolid have pledged to take all necessary steps to protect its interests. The club warned Manchester City, Bah, and his agent of potential repercussions and remains firm in its stance.

“The club warned the three parties about this situation yesterday through different requests, warning them of the possible consequences of their actions,” the club said.

“Juma Bah arrived at the Anexos last summer on loan from AIK Freetown. The loan contract with the Sierra Leonean club ended on June 30 of this season and included a clause for Real Valladolid to exercise a purchase option, a clause that the Blanquivioleta entity exercised on Jan 1 so that the central defender’s federative rights would belong to Pucela [Valladolid] under a new contract of longer duration, and with better conditions.

“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.”

The unfolding saga raises serious questions about player contracts and the role of influential clubs in the transfer market, setting the stage for a contentious battle.