Ligue 1 side set to explore loan deal for Manchester City centre-back for 2025/26 season | OneFootball

Manchester City will have a big decision to make on the future of central defensive prospect Juma Bah this summer, amid growing interest in the player’s services.

The 19-year-old signed a contract with Manchester City during the most-recent January transfer window as the club began its much-needed work on welcoming in a new generation of talent for the next phase of the squad’s development.

Bah became one of three new central defensive signings completed by Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain at the midway point of the season, alongside Palmeiras’ Vitor Reis and RC Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov.

However, unlike the aforementioned duo that were immediately integrated into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, a decision was agreed between City and Bah that would take the Sierra Leone talent out to Lens on loan for the remainder of the season.

Since then, the former Real Valladolid starlet has shone in French football with many already suggesting online that Bah should be brought into the Manchester City set-up from next season. However, it seems as though his career may go in another direction.

That is according to a new report from Allez Lens, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, who claim that RC Lens are now looking to extend the loan stay of Juma Bah beyond the ongoing season, despite complications with the plan.

It is stressed that the Sierra Leone central defender is attracting interest from elsewhere, which is hardly surprising given the immense performances put in by the player during his time in France thus far and the rave reviews that had emerged during his spell in Spain.

Bah has already spoken of his delight at being part of the longer-term Manchester City vision, speaking during an interview shortly after his arrival at Lens with BBC Africa.

“It’d be a dream to play with great players at Manchester City,” Bah admitted. “I usually play with them on PlayStation. Playing with them in real life will be amazing.”

The young defender continued, “I’m looking forward to go there, learn, and have the best coach in the world. My aim is to win trophies.”

Reports have already indicated that Juma Bah may be granted opportunity to impress Pep Guardiola directly through joining up with the club for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States this summer. However, plans for the player at the tournament remain unconfirmed.