Manchester City consider shock move for Paul Pogba
Could Paul Pogba be returning to Manchester?
Reports suggest Manchester City are exploring the possibility of signing Paul Pogba as the midfielder prepares to return to professional football in March.
It is believed that Pogba is hesitant about a move back to Manchester due to his previous experiences with City’s fierce rivals, Manchester United.
Pogba’s career has been on hold following a doping ban that initially sidelined him for four years. That suspension was recently reduced to 18 months, making him eligible to return to action in March 2025. The 31-year-old parted ways with Juventus in November, leaving him as a free agent.
City are reportedly considering Pogba as they navigate one of the most challenging campaigns of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. A combination of injuries and recruitment struggles has left their squad stretched thin, particularly in midfield.
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Rodri’s absence has been especially detrimental, exposing a critical vulnerability. Pogba’s availability could offer a short-term solution to bolster their midfield options. Guardiola has expressed admiration for Pogba in the past, and there were even murmurs about City’s interest when Pogba was still plying his trade at Old Trafford.
Complicating matters further for City is the looming uncertainty surrounding the Premier League investigation into alleged financial rule breaches. The hearing concluded last week, with a decision anticipated in February.
City continue to maintain their innocence, but if found guilty of severe violations, the club could face severe penalties, ranging from a points deduction to potential expulsion from the league. This cloud of doubt could impact their January recruitment strategy, adding another layer of complexity to their plans.
While Pogba’s potential move to City might raise eyebrows, particularly among United fans, the deal remains speculative. Whether the Frenchman is willing to don the sky-blue shirt of United’s neighbours—and whether City see him as the answer to their problems—will undoubtedly be a narrative to watch in the coming months.
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This would be Pogba's third spell in Manchester
After previously starring in their academy, Pogba moved to Juventus on a free transfer in 2012. His performances in Serie A led to him returning to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record transfer fee of £89.3 million. The fee was the highest for an English club until 2021. In his first season back, he won the League Cup and the Europa League. After that, he failed to win another trophy as United, as a whole, struggled to challenge for the major trophies.
