Paul Pogba has said he would be “willing to give up money” to continue his career at Juventus.
The 31-year-old has been speaking about his future after his four-year ban for failing an anti-doping test was reduced to 18 months earlier this month.
Juventus head coach Thiago Motta has said the club will “evaluate” the future of the French central midfielder and described him as a “great player, who hasn’t played for a long time”.
“I am willing to give up money to play for Juventus again. I want to come back,” Pogba said to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Asked how he would react if Motta phoned him to discuss his club future, Pogba replied: “The pitch has to talk not me. Thiago will judge with his own eyes on the basis of what he sees. Gossip is all good but I want to play and at Juventus and for France I want to be the best.”
Pogba — who last played for Juventus against Empoli on September 3, 2023 — faces an uncertain club future and his No 10 shirt was handed to Turkey international Kenan Yildiz in August 2024.
Pogba’s Juventus contract runs through to the summer of 2026. The Frenchman had been the club’s highest earner along with Dusan Vlahovic, but the club placed him on the minimum wage, as provided for by the collective bargaining agreement struck by the clubs and Italy’s Players’ Association (AIC), until the case is resolved.
Pogba was suspended in February 2024 after testosterone not produced by the body was detected in a test on August 20, 2023, according to the Italian anti-doping agency (NADO Italia).
The former Manchester United midfielder’s appeal to CAS was successful and Pogba will be allowed to return to first-team training in January 2025 and be eligible to return to competitive action two months later in March when his 18-month ban concludes.
Pogba has made just nine appearances for Juventus since rejoining the club from United in the summer of 2022, of which just one of those games has been as a starter.
Juventus, who are third in Serie A with 13 points from seven matches, play Lazio on Saturday.
(Pamela Rovaris/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
