Manchester City have been accused of encouraging transfer target Juma Bah to break his contract with Real Valladolid.
The Spanish club exercised a purchase option to sign Bah on a permanent transfer earlier this month after he initially joined on a loan deal from Sierra Leone's AIK Freetong in the summer.
Bah already appears to be heading towards the exit door, but his potential departure is shrouded in controversy after Valladolid released a furious statement on Wednesday afternoon, accusing Man City of being behind Bah's decision to terminate his contract.
Such a move would allow Man City to sign Bah for a lower fee than if they were to negotiate a permanent transfer with Valladolid.
Valladolid revealed that the 18-year-old failed to report to training on Wednesday and that they had informed their legal department to "initiate disciplinary action" for breach of contract.
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Valladolid blame Man City and Bah's agent
A Valladolid statement read: "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 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 license with a higher-category Blanquivioleta team, since this would entail an automatic increase in his termination clause."
"The club warned the three parties about this situation yesterday through different requests, warning them of the possible consequences of their actions."
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Bah termiates Valladolid contract
Valladolid revealed that Bah has paid the amount required to terminate his contract after making 12 appearances for the Spanish club this season.
The statement went on to add: "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 Royal Spanish Football Federation has just confirmed that the player has deposited the amount for the unilateral termination of the contract.
"In this regard, Real Valladolid reports that it reserves the right to resort to the appropriate legal and sporting jurisdictions to exercise its rights and defend its interests."
Amid the controversy, it appears that Man City boss Pep Guardiola is set to make his third defensive signing of the winter transfer window.
The Citizens announced the arrival of Abdukodir Khusanov from Ligue 1 side Lens, before they confirmed the signing of Vitor Reis from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
