Chelsea will compete with Manchester City and Newcastle United in the race to secure the services of 18-year-old African prodigy Juma Bah.
According to a report by Italian outlet Sportitalia, Juma Bah is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are scouring the market for a centre-back ahead of the two transfer windows next year. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Newcastle United are also keen on signing the African prodigy, who has made his mark at La Liga club Real Valladolid this season.
Who is Juma Bah?
Juma Bah has been one of the best young prospects in La Liga since joining Real Valladolid on loan from AIK Freetong in the summer transfer window. A native of Freetown, the African prodigy has spent most of his formative years thus far in his hometown but has risen in prominence during his spell in Spain.
Real Valladolid signed Bah on loan for the 2024/25 season, and he has quickly made his mark at the newly promoted La Liga club. While Bah initially started with the reserve side, he has become a regular for the first-team squad, turning out nine times thus far in La Liga while amassing 638 minutes of game time. Meanwhile, the player’s progress has not gone unnoticed, alerting Premier League clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle United.
Premier League move on the horizon?
The first rumours surrounding the Sierra Leonean defensive prospect linked him with Manchester City. The Premier League champions are ready to invest in a highly-rated centre-back amid uncertainties around the long-term future of Ruben Dias.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s interest in Juma Bah is understandable. The Magpies are scouring the market for a centre-back after failing to sign another new central defender apart from Lloyd Kelly in the summer transfer window. With Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Jamaal Lascelles on the wrong side of 30, Newcastle United can do with a player like Bah.
As for Chelsea, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi face an uncertain future ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window. While the two Frenchmen do not face an immediate threat to their spots this winter, they must continue their positive form to retain their places ahead of the 2025/26 season.
With Chelsea joining the race to secure Juma Bah’s services, a move to the Premier League might be on the cards for the 18-year-old African prodigy. It will be interesting to see if the West London club can beat Manchester City and Newcastle United to his signature.