Manchester City are weighing up a shock swoop for free agent Paul Pogba, but the midfielder's Manchester United past is threatening to jeopardise a move, according to a report.
The 31-year-old is currently on the lookout for his next club following the termination of his contract with Juventus, whom he severed ties with following a high-profile doping scandal.
Pogba was found to have abnormal levels of testosterone in two separate samples at the start of the 2023-24 season, and he was initially given a four-year suspension, which could have spelled the end of his career.
However, the France World Cup winner appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who concluded that the supplement responsible for the elevated testosterone levels did not have a major impact on male athletes, and his ban was reduced to 18 months.
As Pogba has already served most of his punishment, the midfielder will be free to resume his playing career in March, and he can return to training next month as speculation over his next club heats up.
Man City 'sound out' Pogba as 'reluctance' revealed
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A free transfer to Saudi Arabia or MLS has long been considered the most feasible option for Pogba, although the 31-year-old apparently still feels that he has a lot to offer in European football.
Reports last month claimed that the ex-Man United man would consider returning to Old Trafford to play under Ruben Amorim, but in an unexpected twist, The Independent claims that Man City have now thrown their hat into the ring.
The Premier League champions have supposedly sounded out Pogba to gauge his interest in joining the club in 2025, and Pep Guardiola is still a fan of the Frenchman, whom he was also keen to sign while the 31-year-old was on the books at Man United.
However, Pogba apparently harbours doubts about donning the Man City strip, as he is not jumping at the chance to go back to Manchester following his turbulent second spell at Man United.
The report adds that the 31-year-old could go as far as to snub a return to England completely, and if he is to prolong his European career, he is favouring clubs in Serie A, La Liga or the Bundesliga.
Is Pogba the answer to Man City's crisis?
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Pogba turning out for Man City should not have been on anybody's bingo card for 2025, but the Citizens' supposed interest in the out-of-practice midfielder just shows how truly desperate their situation is at the minute.
Take Rodri out of the team and the champions capitulate, evidenced by losing a staggering seven of their last 10 games in all tournaments, and the consensus is that genuine Premier League title challenge is now out of the question.
Pogba joining Man City would at least alleviate some of the defensive responsibility on the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic's shoulders, but the negatives surely outweigh the positives on this one.
The France international has not played for over a year, was incredibly injury prone during his second spell at Juventus, would command a hefty wage and is unlikely to be warmly welcomed to the Etihad by every Man City fan.
Coupled with Pogba's understandable reservations about joining Guardiola's side, it is surely best for all parties that this astounding transfer does not come to fruition, allowing Man City to prioritise the capture of a Martin Zubimendi or Atalanta BC's Ederson instead.
Ben Knapton
