Is Paul Pogba moving to Los Angeles?
The former Manchester United star is now free to return to the field but is yet to sign with a new club.
When Paul Pogba re-joined Manchester United in the summer of 2016, his huge €105 million transfer fee was a world record.
The Frenchman was expected to become the centrepiece of a new-look United team but he failed to live up to the hype and left the club as a free agent in 2022. A spell with Juventus was cut short by a doping ban but now, finally, Pogba is free to return to the field and restart his stalling career.
Talk of a move to MLS has been mooted for a while, with Inter Miami tipped as a potential destination. However on Saturday Pogba sparked fresh speculation by appearing in Los Angeles to watch LAFC take on Austin FC.
Before the game Pogba was seen embracing international teammate Olivier Giroud, while France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is also signed to LAFC. Throughout their time in the league LAFC have been ambitious with their transfer dealing, winning the 2022 MLS Cup with Gareth Bale, Giorgio Chiellini and Carlos Vela in the team.
Would LAFC want to sign Paul Pogba?
This weekend LAFC fell to a 1-0 loss to Austin at BMO Stadium, continuing their shaky start to the 2025 MLS season. There had been talk that LAFC were preparing a big offer for Antoine Griezmann this summer but with Griezmann continuing to be a key player for Atlético Madrid, the MLS side may turn their attentions elsewhere as they look to add quality.
With Pogba now looking for a return to the game, Inter Miami had been proposed as a likely landing spot and the Frenchman owns property nearby. His appearance at a Herons game last months did nothing to quietened those rumours but it looks like LAFC have now entered the frame to compete for his signature. Speaking recently, LAFC general manager John Thorrington admitted that they are still looking to strengthen with a big-name star.
“From the outset, we have been a club that’s been very proud of representing Los Angeles. And as abstract as that sounds in terms of doing it with a team, that is something that we were very strategic about and representing what is best about LA. And part of LA is we are a city of stars,” he explained.
“So I think for us, in terms of our team’s makeup, that’s always somewhere in the back of our mind. Now, we never sign anybody for marketing purposes. It’s primarily what they can offer us on the pitch. But yes, LA is a city of stars. And I think those types of players have helped attract attention in a city that maybe is a different dynamic than maybe some of the other markets in the league.”
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