Manchester City defender Juma Bah is on the verge of completing a move to OGC Nice, with the 19-year-old Sierra Leonean talent expected to sign for the Ligue 1 side in the coming days.
Following an impressive loan spell at RC Lens last season, Bah had attracted the interest of several French clubs, including Olympique Lyonnais.
However, it is Nice who have emerged as frontrunners and are now finalising the terms of a free transfer for the highly-rated central defender.
Bah’s contract with Manchester City is due to expire in June, allowing the Côte d’Azur club to move in without a transfer fee.
The 1.95-metre tall defender made a notable impression during his stint in Ligue 1, despite featuring in only a limited number of matches for Lens.
His physical strength, aerial dominance, and composed performances in central defence marked him out as a player with considerable potential.
While Lens had hoped to secure Bah on a permanent basis following his loan, negotiations failed to progress as Nice stepped in with a more decisive approach.
According to reports from L’Équipe and other French outlets, an agreement is now close, with the formalities of the transfer being ironed out between the two clubs.
OGC Nice view Bah as a strategic long-term investment. With his blend of height, athleticism, and technical promise, he fits the club’s profile for developing emerging talent and reinforcing key areas of the squad.
The move also aligns with Nice’s broader recruitment strategy aimed at rejuvenating their backline and building a competitive side capable of pushing for European qualification.
Despite his young age, Bah’s time at Lens provided valuable exposure to top-level football. He featured in approximately ten league matches, showing enough poise and adaptability to handle the demands of French top-flight competition.
His performances caught the attention of scouts and coaches alike, and his development trajectory suggests further room for growth.
For Manchester City, the departure of Bah brings an end to his brief chapter with the club. Signed as a promising youth player, he never made a senior appearance for the Premier League champions but gained crucial experience through his loan spell in France.
The move to Nice represents a logical next step in his career, offering the opportunity for more regular first-team football.
As the final paperwork is prepared, Nice are expected to announce Bah’s arrival shortly. The Aiglons are optimistic that the Sierra Leone international can adapt quickly to their system and provide added depth and competition in central defence.
How Bah integrates into Francesco Farioli’s squad remains to be seen, but the club’s leadership believes his physical profile and temperament are well-suited to Ligue 1’s intensity.
Should he deliver on his potential, Nice could prove to have secured one of the more astute defensive signings of the summer window.
