Man City set to win transfer race for Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah despite 18-year-old stalling approach from rivals

MANCHESTER CITY are set to win their scrap for Sierra Leone centre-half Juma Bah this week — despite massive opposition.

City hope their sales pitch of signing the 18-year-old from Real Valladolid and loaning him out for the next 18 months still appeals to the player.

Bah stalled on the move when Inter Milan, Lens and Fenerbahce made contact.

But City have been in for the teenager in a big way for the longest time of all suitors.

Everton and Crystal Palace are still waiting for encouragement — but the lure of City may end the chase in the next couple of days.

The 6ft 5in defender has become a regular in LaLiga this season.

Having begun the campaign out of the team, Bah has started five of Valladolid's last six games.

City's defence is set to take on a different look this month.

The reigning Prem champions are closing in on a £33.6million deal for RC Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.

While skipper Kyle Walker has told club chiefs that he wants to leave the Etihad.

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After Walker was left out of City's 8-0 FA Cup drubbing of Salford yesterday, manager Pep Guardiola said: "Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the option to play abroad.

"He asked after the treble, when Bayern (Munich) wanted him but the offer was not good enough.

“He went to (director of football) Txiki (Begiristain) of course, and I prefer to play other players whose mind is here.

“Maybe I'm wrong but I still am pretty convinced that there's no-one in our job that doesn't want to be where they are who can perform.

“Kyle asked to explore, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen because you never know.

"He has been our right-back and given us something we haven’t had.

“He’s been amazing but now in his mind he would like to go to another country and play for other reasons.”