Paul Pogba Juventus Contract Termination: Potential New clubs and future moves

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been given a new lease of life after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months two weeks ago, meaning he can start playing next year. However, the Frenchman’s future looks to be away from Juventus as he is reportedly in talks with the Serie A giants about terminating his contract, which runs until June 2026.

Joining in 2022 as a free agent for his second spell, Pogba experienced a difficult start at Juventus due to injuries. He had made 12 appearances before failing a drug test in September 2023, receiving a four-year suspension in the aftermath. However, with the doping sentence now reduced, Pogba is gearing towards a fresh start, but in the pastures green. The Bianconeri are also said to be open to letting him leave by mutual consent a year before the end of his contract, which will allow him to join other clubs on a free transfer. Speculations have started to swirl around Pogba’s future and his potential next destination.

Pogba’s Doping Ban: Impact on his career and future

From being one of the best midfielders and winning the World Cup in 2018 to being deemed obsolete, Pogba has experienced unprecedented lows in recent years. His second spell at Manchester United was fluctuating – especially the final few seasons, hampered by a raft of injuries and lack of form. Above all, His €110 million price tag put him in a constant spotlight.

Bringing his six-year tenure at Old Trafford to a close in 2022, Pogba moved to Turin for his second stint in a bid to revitalise his career. But little did he know that things would spiral out of control quickly. Injury woes continued to trouble Pogba as a knee issue sidelined him for around 7 months, making for the worst possible start. In September 2023, he was provisionally suspended after tests carried out by Italy’s anti-doping tribunal after Juventus’ game against Udinese in August detected elevated levels of testosterone in his system.

In what appeared as the last straw of his career, Pogba was handed a four-year ban in February earlier this year for a doping offence. A heartbroken Pogba said: “Everything I have built in my professional career has been taken away from me.” 

However, following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration, Pogba’s doping ban was reduced to 18 months earlier this month. “Finally the nightmare is over. I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again,” said Pogba. “I always stated that I never knowingly breached World Anti-Doping Agency regulations when I took a nutritional supplement prescribed to me by a doctor, which does not affect or enhance the performance of male athletes. I play with integrity and, although I must accept that this is a strict liability offence, I want to place on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation.”

Also Read: Paul Pogba ban: Former Manchester United star set for a career change

Which clubs could Paul Pogba join next?

Pogba has become a subject of intense transfer speculation ever since reports broke out that he was looking to leave Juventus. With the Old Lady embarking on a new era with the squad full of young talents under manager Thiago Motta, pogba’s decision to move elsewhere is understandable. Clubs in Europe, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been linked with the former Red Devils star, and let’s take a brief look at some of his possible destinations.

Marseille FC

Having reportedly turned down an offer from Russian club Broke Boys FC, it looks clear that Pogba wants to compete at an elite level. Marseille are said to be among the clubs keen on his signature, as they are ready to provide him with an escape route. His friend and compatriot Patrice Evra has already mooted him about a potential move to the Velodrome to which Pogba responded that he wouldn’t be ruling it out. Whilst there have been no concrete negotiations as of yet, it would be an interesting transfer should it materialise.

Marseille have ushered into a new era under coach Roberto De Zerbi to return to the top of the French top flight while trying to end PSG’s monopoly. While the current bunch looks exciting and has the potential to change the club’s fortunes, a maverick like Pogba can make the club a champion side.  Despite the uncertainty about his physical condition since he is coming after a long lay-off and his injury history, Pogba has a higher chance of succeeding at Marseille than anywhere else. Firstly, Pogba can thrive in a less-intense league like Ligue 1, and he won’t be in the public eye as he was at his previous clubs. Second, De Zerbi’s system allows a playmaker like Pogba to flourish. Although a deal looks far off at this stage, Pogba could be a brilliant addition to Les Olympians should he manage to stay injury-free

Saudi Arabia

Pogba could be of great interest to Saudi Arabian clubs, who continue to lure in high-profile names. Since the rebranding of the league in 2023, A heap of footballing superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and countless others have moved to Saudi for lucrative wages. Perhaps, Pogba has been a long-term target for Saudi clubs Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, who had offered him huge contract proposals in the summer of 2023 before he decided to stay at Juventus. His compatriots Benzema and N’Golo Kante are plying their trade at Al Ittihad, and it remains to be seen whether he could be the next.  

Major League Soccer (LAFC)

Pogba could be the next to jump on the bandwagon after the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Marco Reus and many more moved to Major League Soccer in the last few years. Los Angeles FC are reportedly keeping tabs on the Frenchman, who they want to make a priority target ahead of the MLS 2025 season. LAFC have already two Frenchman Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris in their ranks and the United States outfit might seek them to convince Pogba.

What does the future hold for Paul Pogba?

Pogba must be relieved to see his doping sentence reduced, which provides him the opportunity to kickstart his flagging career. Already past his 30s, there will be questions whether he can still play at the highest level, but he will be desperate to squash them. There has been an ever-present criticism that the Frenchman has never fulfilled his potential, and it will be interesting to see whether he can prove his naysayers wrong. With an exit from Juventus imminent, MLS, Saudi Arabia, and Ligue 1 are also touted as possible destinations and all eyes are on which direction he takes in his career. Pogba can resume training in January 2025 and is eligible to play from March. Staying in Europe might be a wise decision as it looks like he has plenty to offer.        

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