Major twist in Paul Pogba transfer battle as 'new club enters race' for former Man Utd midfielder as he returns from 18-month doping ban
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly being targeted by Saudi side Al-Ittihad who hope to beat Monaco to the Frenchman's signature.
The midfielder has held discussion with Monaco ahead of his return to football after his 18-month drugs suspension.
The free agent World Cup winner had appeared to nearing a move to the Ligue 1 side with a two-year contract proposal on the table.
Pogba saw his initial four-year drug ban cut to 18 months in October 2024 and has been free to recommence his career since March.
Discussions have been ongoing with image rights said to be amid a number of stumbling blocks in the way of a transfer to the Stade Louis II.
But while Monaco chiefs remain confident, a deal may be complicated by increased Saudi interest.
Al-Ittihad are hoping to sign the former Juventus midfielder, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
A move to the Saudi Arabian champions would see Pogba linking up with former France international team-mates Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.
Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season and their offer of Champions League football could tempt Pogba, who is eyeing a return to the French national team ahead of the World Cup.
Earlier this week, Pogba reunited with some former United team-mates at the Club World Cup.
The 31-year-old jetted out to the States to catch up with some old friends in Miami as Boca Juniors took on Benfica.
Taking to Instagram, Pogba, who captioned the photo: 'What a pleasure to see my friends!' shared a snap of himself and four other former United players who all play for the Argentine side.
Sharing to his story and his 63million followers, Pogba stood in the middle of the group with his arms around two of the players.
To his left was goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who played 61 times for United - 21 times alongside Pogba - between 2015 and 2021. To his right was forward Edinson Cavani. The former Paris Saint-Germain man played 59 times for United - 36 with Pogba - joining in 2020 and leaving in 2022.
Next to Romero was Marcos Rojo. The centre back played for United for seven years, playing 48 times alongside the World Cup winner.
The final man in the picture was Ander Herrera, who played alongside Pogba 84 times - and was sent off in the game despite not being on the pitch.
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