By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Real Valladolid have threatened a legal action against 18-year-old defender Juma Bah for terminating his contract with the La Liga club in Spain amid interest shown by Manchester City from London.

Valladolid believe City have encouraged Bah to break his contract to allow City to sign him at a lower price.

In a recent statement, Real Valladolid declared that Juma Bah and his agent had informed the club of the player’s intention to break the contract last Tuesday. On the same day, City had approached Valladolid about signing the 18-year-old on a permanent transfer.

And so on the following day, Bah did not show up for practice, thusbbreaching his contractual commitments, according to the club.

Real Valladolid wrote (via Tribal Football): ‘Abdulai Juma Bah and his agent informed Real Valladolid yesterday afternoon of their intention to unilaterally break the contract that binds both parties. 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 Leone starlet decided not to show up 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.’

Juma Bah has deposited his buyout clause to the Royal Spanish Football Federation and is now free to leave Real Valladolid, a statement said. The La Liga side believes that Manchester City have influenced Bah’s decision to leave the club.

‘The player’s intention is supposedly supported and guided by Manchester City and his agent, and this has caused a greater disappointment and indignation at Real Valladolid, who had initially welcomed Juma Bah with open arms and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime stay in the club,’ they added.

In the statement, Real Valladolid also declared that they reserve the right to take legal action against the player to safeguard the club’s interests. Juma Bah had joined Valladolid on a season-long loan deal from AIK Freetong.