From 'barefoot football' to Etihad: Pep finds African diamond on the 'Lion Mountains'

After seemingly finding their way out of the recent crisis, Man City have started a partial reorganization of their ranks in the ongoing transfer window. Surprisingly or not, Pep Guardiola's focus has been on defence, as the Cityzens already brought in two centre-backs and, according to the latest claims, are ready to sign another one.

Unlike the habits of European giants, Man City opted for players from somewhat "exotic" destinations, as they added the Uzbek Abdukodir Khusanov and the Brazilian Vitor Reis. And when Asian and South American boxes are checked, it's Africa's turn.

Walker cuts his wage to go to Milan

Namely, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League champions reached an agreement with the Spanish side Real Valladolid regarding the young defender from Sierra Leone, Juma Bah. The transfer guru did not reveal financial details, but sources from England claim the Spaniards will earn around £15 million.

Bah won't join the Etihad crew immediately as he'll be sent on loan. At first, City's management considered leaving him at Valladolid, but since they built an excellent relationship with the French Lens while negotiating Khusanov's transfer, they'll loan the 18-year-old Sierra Leonean to the Ligue 1 side.

Marmoush is finally becoming a Citizen

Bah joined the La Liga club last August from AIK Freetong, the team from his homeland. Since then, he has made 14 appearances at Valladolid, ending the first half of the season with the best percentage of won aerial duels (77.78%) of all La Liga centre-backs.

This way, the Cityzens snatched the African gem, although Inter Milan were also interested in bringing him, but also secured the third defender for the future, as all three of their recent reinforcements are still teenagers.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND 7

Tuesday

20:45: (2.55) AS Monaco (3.50) Aston Villa (2.85)

20:45: (1.22) Atalanta (6.50) Sturm Graz (12.0)

23:00: (2.40) Atlético Madrid (3.45) Bayer Leverkusen (3.15)

23:00: (3.10) Benfica (4.00) Barcelona (2.20)

23:00: (3.40) Bologna (3.50) Borussia Dortmund (2.25)

23:00: (3.30) Club Brugge (3.30) Juventus (2.25)

23:00: (4.50) Crvena zvezda (4.05) PSV (1.80)

23:00: (1.30) Liverpool (6.50) Lille (10.0)

23:00: (10.0) Slovan Bratislava (6.50) Stuttgart (1.25)

Wednesday

20:45: (2.85) Leipzig (3.70) Sporting (2.45)

20:45: (2.70) Shakhtar (3.10) Brest (2.75)

23:00: (7.75) Sparta Praha (4.50) Inter (1.42)

23:00: (1.12) Arsenal (11.0) Dinamo Zagreb (22.0)

23:00: (6.75) Feyenoord (5.00) Bayern (1.43)

23:00: (1.48) Milan (4.65) Girona (7.25)

23:00: (2.50) PSG (3.80) Man City (2.75)

23:00 (1.08) Real Madrid (14.0) RB Salzburg (30.0)

***odds are subject to change***