According to reports, Premier League champions Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Real Valladolid defender Juma Bah, the 18-year-old Sierra Leonean centre-back who has impressed in his debut season in Spain’s LaLiga.

Bah, who stands at an imposing 6 ft 5 in, joined Valladolid on loan from his hometown club AIK Freetong in August and has quickly established himself in the first team, making 7 league appearances so far this campaign.

The talented teenager’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with the report claiming that City are considering making a move for Bah as soon as the January transfer window opens.

However, the Premier League leaders may face competition from domestic rivals Newcastle United, Everton and Crystal Palace, all of whom are said to be admirers of the young defender.

Bah began his youth career with AIK Freetong in Sierra Leone in 2021 before catching the eye of Valladolid scouts during a loan spell at Freetonians SLIFA. He was then snapped up by the Spanish club on a temporary deal, with an initial plan for him to feature for their B team, only to be fast-tracked into the senior squad.

The news comes as Manchester City are dealing with a defensive crisis of their own, having failed to win any of their last six matches in all competitions and conceding 17 goals during that run.

Manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the team’s struggles, admitting he “doesn’t enjoy it at all” and is trying to be closer to his players as they look to turn their form around.

Whether City will act on their reported interest in Bah remains to be seen, but the Sierra Leonean’s rapid rise has certainly caught the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs.