Paul Pogba in transfer talks: 'Hungry' World Cup winner ready to sign

Tom Weber

Updated: 29 Apr 2025 15:50 BST
4 min read

Paul Pogba has held preliminary talks with Major League Soccer franchise DC United as the midfielder gears up to pick his next club shortly.

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The 2018 World Cup winner has been a free agent for six months now after having his contract terminated by Juventus. Pogba, who was handed a four-year doping suspension, had his ban cut short, but the Serie A side nevertheless decided to sever ties with him.

Current ETV

Paul Pogba

M (CL), DM (C)

Paul Pogba

M (CL), DM (C)

ETV Range

€5.4M - €7.3M

Pogba has been eligible to play competitive football since March, however, he remains unattached as the January window did not yield any satisfactory offers.

There was talk of a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille, but the French giants ultimately decided against making a move for the midfielder, fearing that his sizeable wages, lack of match sharpness and prominent personality could upset the dressing room balance should he join mid-season.

Pogba, who recently insisted on Instagram that he is still 'hungry' for football, was also linked with a blockbuster return to Man Utd for what would have been his third stint at the club, but these reports were quickly shut down. The 32-year-old has been in footballing limbo in recent months while keeping himself fit in Miami.

Pogba holds talks with DC United

However, the former superstar still has suitors. As MLS insider Tom Bogert has now revealed, DC United held exploratory talks with Pogba two months ago.

Although little came of it at the time, the interest in the veteran midfielder remains, and a summer move is not entirely ruled out. The capital club hold Pogba's Discovery Rights, essentially giving them the right of first refusal on the Frenchman.

Pogba is expected to pick his new club in June, so a final decision could be just a couple of weeks away. DC never made a formal offer, and Pogba has other suitors, including in Turkey and Saudi Arabia. A move to MLS is therefore not guaranteed.

DC would technically have the roster space to sign the World Cup winner as they can still add a Designated Player to their lineup. However, it is unclear whether a move to Washington appeals to Pogba.

One of the original giants of MLS, DC have fallen on tough times of late and have not tasted tangible success since winning the US Open Cup in 2013. They last won the Supporters' Shield as the best regular season team in 2007 and their last MLS Cup in 2004.

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