Leicester City and Southampton were keen on Manchester City’s Juma Bah but he is set for another move to France, reports Alan Nixon.
Leicester City and Southampton both suffered immediate relegation back to the Championship after earning promotion to the Premier League together in 2024. LCFC had gone up as champions, while Southampton secured their place via the play-offs.
However, neither side found success in the 2024/25 campaign. Leicester finished 18th, 13 points adrift of safety. Southampton, on the other hand, endured a torrid season, collecting just 12 points, only narrowly avoiding equalling Derby County’s all-time low Premier League total.
leicester city, Leicester City, Southampton dealt blow in Manchester City starlet chase
Image courtesy of: PETER CZIBORRA/REUTERS.
Now, attention shifts to the fight for promotion. Both clubs will be looking to rebuild and strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.
However, both sides appear to have missed out on a potential loan target, Manchester City’s Juma Bah. Reporter Alan Nixon has claimed via his Patreon that the relegated duo were keen on Bah.
Bah is likely headed back to France after his spell with Lens in the second half of the season. He was bought by City in January and immediately sent to Lens.
More on Bah
19-year-old defender Juma Bah has had somewhat of a meteoric rise over the past few years. He was picked by his first club, AIK Freetong, after being spotted playing in the streets by his agent in 2021.
He was quickly snapped up by Sierra Leonean side Freetonians SLIFA, where he became captain after just a year, aged 17. His talents were spotted by Real Vallidolid in August 2024, who signed him initially for their reserve side.
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leicester city, Leicester City, Southampton dealt blow in Manchester City starlet chase
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
After one game in the reserves, he was pushed into the first team with Vallidolid, making 10 appearances before Manchester City snapped him up in January. He then impressed out on loan in Ligue 1, averaging a 7 match rating according to FOTMob across 10 games.
After such good performances in France, it is no surprise that Ligue 1 sides are keen once again this summer. He would have been a nice pickup for both LCFC and Southampton though, if available.
A common theme
Leicester and Southampton are likely to be linked with many players together this summer. Both are in similar positions and will be looking at the same type of signings.
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With promotion back to the top flight, the aim for both this summer, this should come as no surprise. How wins the race to sign these players though, will be interesting to see.