Manchester City are strengthening their squad with young talent as they move closer to finalizing their second signing of the January transfer window.
The Premier League champions have reached a verbal agreement to bring in 18-year-old defender Juma Bah from Valladolid, following the earlier signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens in a deal worth £33.6 million, including add-ons.
Bah, a 6’5″ centre-back from Sierra Leone, has made remarkable strides in his career. After joining Valladolid from AIK Freetong in 2024, he quickly earned a spot in the first team, debuting in La Liga in September.
With 10 league starts and a Copa del Rey appearance to his name, the teenager has become a highly sought-after prospect, even attracting interest from Inter Milan. However, Manchester City appear to have won the race for his signature.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the verbal agreement, with formalities expected soon.
Despite his potential, Bah is not expected to join City’s first team immediately. Instead, the club is considering a loan move to further his development, with Lens emerging as a likely destination.
This potential loan builds on the positive relationship between City and Lens following Khusanov’s transfer.
Bah’s addition highlights City’s long-term strategy as they focus on nurturing young talent rather than quick fixes for their current challenges. The teenager joins a club intent on building a sustainable future under Pep Guardiola.
Meanwhile, Khusanov expressed his excitement upon joining the Manchester City squad, saying, “This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.
Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever, and I’m thrilled to learn from him and improve my game even more.”
With Bah set to join their ranks, Manchester City demonstrates a clear commitment to investing in youth and planning for long-term success.