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Valladolid say Man City tapped up young star / Photo: © AFP
Valladolid say Man City tapped up young star
Spanish side Real Valladolid said Wednesday Premier League team Manchester City had tapped up defender Abdulai Juma Bah and accused the 18-year-old of breaching his contract.
Valladolid explained on Tuesday City had messaged asking to open negotiations over a move for the Sierra Leonean centre-back, who later informed the club of his intention to end his contract with them.
Juma paid his release clause to the Spanish football federation, reported to be six million euros ($6.25 million), after not turning up for training on Wednesday, said Valladolid.
"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," said Valladolid in a statement.
Valladolid said they had rejected higher offers from other clubs and that Juma had refused to sign a new deal above youth team category, which "would entail an automatic increase in his termination clause".
Valladolid threatened to take legal action "to exercise its rights and defend its interests".
Manchester City did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
Juma has made 12 appearances for Valladolid's first team after arriving on loan from AIK Freetown last summer, before the Spanish club took up a clause to make the transfer permanent on January 1.
S. Sokolow--BTZ
