Paul Pogba: Manchester City considering move for returning star

Manchester City have reportedly sounded out a move for Paul Pogba ahead of the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder’s return next year.

According to The Independent, City have been eyeing up a potential move for  the 31-year-old, who is eligible play again from March 11 after his four-year ban for increased levels of testosterone was recently reduced to 18 months.

However, it is thought Pogba, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, is reluctant to join the Premier League champions given his ties to City’s rivals in red.

Pogba is currently a free agent following his departure from Juventus in November, with City boss Pep Guardiola believed to be a long-term admirer of his.

City have sounded out a move for Pogbahttps://t.co/TQGM5iOtGp

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 14, 2024

Given Rodri’s absence through injury, and City’s poor run of results, it has been suggested Pogba could present one possible solution for Guardiola.

However, any potential move in the New Year may depend on the outcome of City’s Premier League hearing, which concluded last week, with the verdict expected sometime in February. City insist on their innocence.

Reports of City’s interest in Pogba come just a week after his compatriot, Adrien Rabiot, said he would like Pogba to join him at Marseille in Ligue 1.

Rabiot made 27 appearances alongside him for France and Juve between 2016 and 2023, and told DAZN (via RMC) after Marseille’s 2-0 league win at Saint-Etienne: “Of course I would like to play with Paul.

“We had the opportunity to rub shoulders at Juventus, where we didn’t have the opportunity to play together much because he had a lot of problems.

“I was a little disappointed. We greatly invite him to come and play at Olympique de Marseille. What we are putting in place is really very important.”