Juventus are reportedly set to terminate the contract of Paul Pogba by mutual consent despite the midfielder's drug ban being reduced to 18 months.
Pogba will be able to return to action in March 2025, but with Juve seemingly looking to cut ties with the French international, there is widespread speculation that a return to the Premier League could be on the cards for the former Manchester United man.
The 31-year-old midfielder was provisionally suspended on September 11, 2023, after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system.
Two weeks later, he was subsequently banned from professional football for four years, ending his season and preventing him from participating in Euro 2024 with Les Bleus.
Following the decision, it looked likely that Pogba's playing career was over, given that he would be 34 by the time he was allowed to return to professional football, but the reduction of the suspension term means that he might return to action this season.
Pogba to return to Premier League following ban?
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba will not return to play for Juventus once his ban is lifted, as his contract is set to be terminated by mutual agreement.
However, Football Insider have now claimed that the former Man United midfielder is also not anticipated to return to the Premier League in the near future.
It is understood that due to the manner in which his United career ended, Premier League clubs are not interested in signing him, even though he is expected to be a free agent when he returns.
The report also adds that the midfielder himself is not interested in returning to England and is solely focused on getting back to playing football after spending so much time on the sidelines.
Pogba will be eligible to resume training in January next year, and he is believed to be on the radar of teams in the MLS and Saudi Pro League.
What next for Paul Pogba?
While Pogba is set to return to football next year, Juventus have seemingly already set up for the future without him, having brought in the likes of Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners over the summer.
Since rejoining Juventus in July 2022, the Frenchman has made 190 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A giants, scoring 34 goals and providing 41 assists in that time.
Pogba also made 157 appearances in the Premier League during his time at Old Trafford, scoring 29 goals and providing 38 assists.
His current contract with the Old Lady runs until 2026, and at 31 years old, he may still have the ability to compete at the highest level in Europe, or secure a lucrative move abroad.
