Paul Pogba is set to leave Juventus despite having his ban lifted as the favourites to acquire his services have emerged, according to stunning reports.
Pogba's four-year ban for a doping offence has been reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The 31-year-old, who tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the first game of the 2023/24 season, can resume training in January 2025 and is free to start playing football again from March 2025.
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But, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba will NOT return to Juve.
It's claimed that his contract will be terminated via mutual consent as further reports in France suggest the star midfielder will restart his career in the Major League Soccer.
It remains to be seen which club Pogba will sign for, but it appears he'll join the same league as Lionel Messi, who left Europe for Inter Miami, with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba following their former Barcelona teammate to Florida.
Pogba has plied his trade in Europe, having enjoyed two spells at Manchester United and Juve.
However, a move to the United States is reportedly on the cards ahead of the player resuming his career.
In a statement, he said the 'nightmare' is finally over.
"Finally the nightmare is over," he said.
"Following the decision by the Court Of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again.
"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 play on record my thanks to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s judges who heard my explanation.
"This has been a hugely distressing period in my life because everything I have worked so hard for has been put on hold.
"Thankyou again for all the love and support - I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch."
Topics: Paul Pogba, MLS, Football
Nasir Jabbar