Another loan move beckons for a promising Manchester City centre-back and it’s likely for the best | OneFootball

Manchester City signed impressive young centre-back Juma Bah during the January transfer window from Real Valladolid. Then, Bah spent the second half of the 24/25 season on loan at Ligue One side Lens. The young centre-back made 10 appearances for Lens and showed he could be destined for a long career at the highest level. Bah’s performances were so impressive that it seemed that he could become a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad for next season.

But now it has been reported that another loan move for the 25/26 season beckons for Juma Bah. Looking at the situation and what is best for Bah’s development as a player, that is probably the best move for the impressive young centre-back.

Juma Bah will likely be sent out on loan for the 25/26 season.

Charlie Gordon has reported for The Express that Manchester City plan to send Juma Bah out on loan next season. As per Gordon’s report, Manchester City see another loan move as the best step in Juma Bah’s preparation to become a first-team player at City. Furthermore, Gordon reports that the City hierarchy believes that Bah isn’t yet ready to become a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. Lastly, Gordon reports that Lens, Southampton and a host of clubs across Europe’s top five leagues are interested in signing Juma Bah on loan for next season.

There isn’t room in the Manchester City defence for Juma Bah.

The best move for Juma Bah’s young career is to be playing consistent first-team football. The young centre-back is only 19 years of age. Playing regular first-team minutes would allow him the opportunity to further develop his game. He showed last season in La Liga and Ligue One that he has the tools, raw talent and potential to become a quality centre-back. The best opportunity for him to get the first-team minutes he needs isn’t at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s squad is stacked with centre-backs and playing in City’s EDS system likely isn’t the best move for Juma Bah.

Manchester City’s squad is currently loaded with centre-backs. Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis would all be ahead of Bah in the pecking order at City. City’s signing of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri would likely see Josko Gvardiol move to centre-back. There isn’t a clear path to the City first team for Juma Bah. So a loan move is the best move for him. He can play and continue developing ahead of his likely introduction to the Manchester City first team when the moment arrives.

It now seems that Juma Bah will spend next season out on loan. Where he ends up remains to be seen at this stage. But wherever Bah plays next season how he performs is well worth keeping an eye on. The hope is that after another loan spell or two Bah can edge closer to fulfilling his potential at Manchester City.