Man City and Newcastle ‘chase giant La Liga sensation for January transfer’
Man City are plotting a January move to sign centre-back Juma Bah in the January transfer window but face rival interest from Newcastle, according to a report from The Sun.
The 18-year-old is currently on loan with La Liga side Real Vallodolid – who are owned by Brazilian legend Ronaldo – from AIK Freetong in his native Sierra Leonne.
Having been signed for the Spanish outfit’s B-team this summer, the teenager has in fact become a regular feature for the first-team, making history as the first player from his country to play in La Liga.
That has attracted interest from the Premier League, with Man City scouts watching Bah as they consider a January move for the centre-back in an attempt to solve their defensive issues.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies are also said to be showing an interest in Bah. Two other Premier League clubs, Everton and Crystal Palace, are also monitoring the six foot five inch defender.
Juma Bah would be a risk to target for the first-team for Man City or Newcastle
Football Insider Opinion
It would feel like something of a gamble for either Pep Guardiola or Eddie Howe’s sides to sign Bah with an immediate view to putting him in the first-team.
In the case of the reigning Premier League champions, their recent poor form amid injuries to Ruben Dias and John Stones has highlighted the need for defensive reinforcements.
The Magpies may also be looking at options in that area, since they could face competition for the signing of Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.
However, it would be a huge ask for Bah to fill that role, given he is still largely inexperienced, with just a handful of appearances in a top European league to his name.
Indeed, there would also be a much greater weight of expectation on Bah at Man City or Newcastle, given Vallodolid are bottom of La Liga, and you wonder if he could cope immediately with that pressure as well.
Even so, he could still be worth pursuing for the likes of these sides with a view to slowly contribute over time, given the progress he is making already indicates he could become a big asset in the future.
In other news, Man City could accept an offer for a West Ham and Fulham transfer target in January.
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