Paul Pogba, currently a free agent following his contract termination with Juventus, has reportedly been turned down by Atletico Madrid after offering to join the club. According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, the French midfielder reached out to Atletico as he eyes a return to football in March after completing an 18-month ban for a doping violation.
However, Atletico manager Diego Simeone reportedly dismissed the idea, with the club unwilling to take a chance on Pogba, labeling him an “experiment.”
Pogba’s Ban and Free Agent Status
Pogba was initially handed a four-year suspension in 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts hormone production, following a match against Udinese. While he denied knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs, the Court of Arbitration for Sport partially upheld his appeal last month, reducing his ban to 18 months.
Despite his ban, Pogba is free to sign with a club but will only be eligible to play in March 2025.
Other Potential Destinations
While Atletico Madrid has reportedly distanced itself from the 31-year-old, Pogba has been linked to other clubs. Fellow La Liga side Villarreal, currently battling for a top-four spot, is rumored to be considering the midfielder. Additionally, Premier League clubs Newcastle United and West Ham have been mentioned as potential suitors.
For now, Pogba’s future remains uncertain as he seeks to rebuild his career and reputation after the doping controversy.
