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Paul Pogba is determined to continue his career in one of Europe’s top five leagues after terminating his contract with Juventus last week, sources tell ESPN.
The 31-year-old will be able to return to training in January next year, before his banned substance ban expires in full in March, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his duration to 18 months, instead of the initial four years.
Sources told ESPN that Pogba would prefer to play in one of the established leagues on his home continent to give himself a better chance of regaining his place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad.
Paul Pogba, Juventus coach Andrea Staccioli/Getty Images
The sources added that several clubs have contacted the player’s entourage about a possible transfer, although there is still nothing concrete. He is training in Miami, USA at the moment to ensure his fitness is at the required level by January 1, 2025.
Asked by ESPN last month about his possible next club, the World Cup winner remained tight-lipped, saying: “My main focus at the moment is just getting ready. I keep training and everything. Preparing myself to be able to join a team in January.”
Pogba has not played since September 3, 2023, after testing positive for DHEA – a banned substance that increases testosterone levels – following Juventus’ Serie A match against Udinese in August of that year.
Pogba told ESPN after the CAS trial that he had considered retiring shortly after his initial four-year ban.
He was the most expensive footballer in history when he joined Manchester United from Juventus for a fee of R4650 million in 2016.
Pogba starred in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph and returned to Juventus as a free agent in 2022, but injuries limited him to just eight Serie A appearances in his second spell at the club before his ban last year.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
