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Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly in talks with Major League Soccer outfit D.C. United over a move.
Pogba has yet to find a new club since he mutually parted ways with Juventus almost six months ago. The Carrington academy graduate saw a four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in October.
The Frenchman tested positive for testosterone metabolites in August 2023 and was subsequently banned from all football related activities until August 2027.
Italy’s anti-doping agency had pushed for Pogba to receive the maximum four-year ban upon learning of his failed test but the player insisted he had nothing wrong and successfully had the ban reduced.
He has been linked to several potential transfer destinations including a return to United, Newcastle, Marseille and the Saudi Pro League. However, after spending considerable time in Miami in recent months, a move to the MLS has been strongly rumoured
Now, The Athletic report that Pogba is in negotiations with D.C. United about joining their ranks.
According to the news outlet, “D.C. United owns the discovery rights to free agent midfielder Paul Pogba, a team source with knowledge of the arrangement has confirmed to The Athletic.”
“The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that the club is in talks over a potential deal for the 32-year-old, who has been seen at several Major League Soccer games — including LAFC’s 1-0 home defeat against Austin in March — since last playing a professional game for Juventus shortly before he was suspended in September 2023.”
D.C. United owns the discovery rights to free agent midfielder Paul Pogba, a team source with knowledge of the arrangement has confirmed to The Athletic.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that the club is in talks over a potential deal for the… pic.twitter.com/x4JSY9AHB4
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 28, 2025
MLS discovery rights are a system that allows teams to claim up to five players on a list, giving them the exclusive first opportunity to negotiate a contract with those players.
The Athletic notes that this system was introduced to prevent teams from bidding against each other and inflating the cost of potential signings. Since players sign contracts with MLS itself before being assigned to individual teams, the discovery system helps avoid the league effectively competing against itself.
Clubs are permitted to trade discovery rights within the league, but they cannot negotiate with a player who is already on another team’s discovery list.
GIVEMESPORT add that Pogba has a relationship with D.C. United owner Jason Levien and initial talks over a switch there took place two months ago.
It’s understood that a deal is not advanced and no formal offer has been made.
Pogba made 233 appearances for United across his two spells at the club.He scored 39 goals during that time and helped the Red Devils win the EFL Cup and the Europa League.
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