Paul Pogba is free to play football again but what are the options available to him after one-and-a-half years out due to a doping ban?
French midfielder Paul Pogba is a free man.
Pogba saw his doping ban end on Monday March 10, allowing him to play football again, since getting suspended in February 2024.
The former Manchester United midfielder thought his career was over when he was found to have tested positive for banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) following tests conducted after Juventus’ victory at Udinese on August 20, 2023.
Pogba would be handed a four-year ban in February 2024 but he contested the charge with the Court of Arbitration for Sport reducing his suspension to 18 months after it was found that he did not knowingly use the substance.
His ban has effectively now ended and the maverick midfielder can sign for any club as he is a free agent after Juventus terminated his contract when he was banned for doping.
Following his return to action, Paul Pogba has an array of options to choose from but which would best suit him?
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MLS
The MLS looks like the best desitination for Paul Pogba at the moment.
Perhaps the best possible opportunity for Paul Pogba to make a quick return to football, the MLS appears the suitable destination for the 32-year-old as demand for him in Europe has dwindled.
A number of clubs in America would benefit from Pogba’s immense talent and they have an advantage that the MLS season is just starting, meaning he will be afforded time to regain his fitness, before the campaign gathers pace, having not played competitively for one-and-a-half years.
The other advantage in the MLS is that the transfer window is open until April 23 and he can join without a lot of hassles with clubs such as Inter Miami, who have been going for superstars, mentioned among possible suitors.
Paul Pogba would, however, have to accept a major pay cut as no side will be willing to pay him close to the 10 million euros annually that he was on at Juventus before his ban.
Saudi Arabia
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Paul Pogba, a 2018 World Cup winner, could find favour in the cash-rich saudi League.
Paul Pogba can also choose to join the growing list of players who have opted for the riches of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi clubs have been throwing big money to European stars both in their prime and those coming to the end of their careers and Pogba would perhaps find a club ready to shell out a huge sum in the Gulf nation than anywhere else in the world.
But every club that might want him will have to be patient as he regains his fitness. Former France team-mates N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema are in Saudi with Al-Ittihad, while the likes of Al-Nassr, home to Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal are among the four big teams in the country.
Marseille
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A return to France with Marseille has been mentioned for Paul Pogba.
While clubs in Europe have distanced themselves from Pogba, could he make a sensational return back home and play for Marseille?
It looks highly unlikely but his former Juventus and France team-mate Adrien Rabiot has not hidden his desire to reunite with Pogba at the Stade Velodrome.
Whether Marseille would be willing to take such a risk is not known but they would have to wait for him to be fit, which is a bit late in the season, and the player would have to accept a much less salary if such a transfer was to happen.
This looks a stretch too far, however, for Pogba.
