Paul Pogba hints about the future, after confirming several talks with Pep Guardiola. Manchester City can offer the French superstar a surprising way back to football, to say the least.
The Premier League champions’ tough season continued last night with a catastrophic collapse at the hands of Ligue 1 colleagues Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc Des Princes. After storming into a 2-0 lead in the second half, Manchester City were beaten 4-2, thanks to a Bradley Barcola masterclass, which highlighted several of the issues that have plagued Pep Guardiola’s team all season.
There was great joy at the Parc des Princes after the victory that makes the road into the Champions League playoffs easier. President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi took his time to thank absolutely everyone after the match.
With Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic struggling in the centre of the park against Joao Neves and Vitinha, Guardiola’s midfield has been questioned since Rodri’s unfortunate ACL injury in September. The Sky Blues have already invested in talent this month – but surely it would be extraordinary to bring in Manchester United’s record signing, even by their standards?
Pogba was sentenced to a four-year ban for doping in March 2024, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced it to 18 months. However, in a club statement in November, his employers Juventus said they were terminating his contract, and confirmed that they would not re-integrate him into their squad when the ban ends.
The Frenchman has been free to start training in January, after his ban expires in March – and has now set his sights on his next club. Last year, the Manchester Evening News confirmed that Pogba was looking at a move to the Premier League, with a CaughtOffside report now conveying comments that he wants to play Champions League football at his next club. That’s not going to happen to Manchester United anytime soon!.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport in October, Pogba confirmed that he spoke to Guardiola in 2022. The former most expensive player in the world eventually opted to return to Turin, with rumours that then-City boss Txiki Begiristain had significant doubts about the deal. (We think Txiki was right in his concerns about Paul Poga)
Hugo Viana who is now leading the recruitment, the “typical City signing” may well have changed – and there is a lot that will appeal to Guardiola about Pogba. An all-round midfield power at the top, able to function as a No.6 and a No.8, he could perform a variety of midfield roles and is technically blessed as a passer. – When he bothered.
However, FourFourTwo understands that the boat may have sailed for Pogba who signs for City. While a free transfer can’t be definitively ruled out, he is only allowed to play from March onwards, with Guardiola needing reinforcements for his team right now – and another Juve star, Douglas Luiz close to a transfer.
The fact that Kyle Walker, who was just sold to Paris Saint-Germain, has been opened up for a transfer, the poorer form of Jack Grealish is also a plus for a possible contract for Paul Pogba.
Paul Pogba should not have a “bad gut feeling” about changing colors in Manchester and according to RAi1 he is now talking Pep Guardiola again, despite having been training with some of his old teammates in Manchester.
