Paul Pogba has admitted that he was open to joining Manchester City in 2022, but has revealed the reasons why the transfer failed to materialise.
At the time, Pogba had become a free agent after leaving Manchester United, where he made over 200 appearances across a six-year period, upon the expiration of his contract.
Multiple reports claimed that Pep Guardiola was keen to sign Pogba that summer as he was on the lookout for a versatile centre-midfielder to replace former captain Fernandinho.
The France international could have become the first player since Carlos Tevez to swap Man United for bitter rivals Man City.
However, Pogba decided to return to Italy and re-join Juventus, who he represented between 2012 and 2016, and he still plies his trade with the Serie A club.
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Pogba explains Man City rejection after Man United exit
Pogba has revealed that he needed to leave Manchester after a burglary at his family home took place in March 2022 with his wife present and children asleep while he was playing for Man United in a Champions League game.
The midfielder stated shortly after the horrific ordeal that his family had been robbed of their "sense of safety and security".
Furthermore, Pogba was left rocked by an extortion attempt - that is still under investigation - against him involving his brother Mathias Pogba and other friends.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Mail, Pogba said: "Honestly, I had a lot of problems. I had the burglary, I had problem with the extortion. I had to leave Manchester.
"Let's say it like this: if I didn't have that (problems) maybe I would have been at City, but with an "if" you can save the world because my head wasn't about staying in Manchester, but it wasn't a closed door because I left United for free."
Following Pogba's rejection in 2022, Man City completed the £42m signing of midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who struggled to make his mark under Guardiola, while they also signed Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, Stefan Ortega and Sergio Gomez that summer.
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Pogba focused on Juve training amid transfer links
Pogba's second stint at Juventus has been marred by injuries and a recent doping scandal, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirming earlier this month that his four-year ban from football has been reduced to 18 months.
Reports have since claimed that both Pogba and Juventus could agree a mutual termination of his contract, but the midfielder - who has been permitted to resume his playing career in March 2025 - is currently focused on returning to training and building up his fitness.
"For now, I still have a contract with Juventus we are talking to them and we will see what happens," Pogba added.
"My main focus is to get back on the field and training. Be on the pitch with a ball with other players. I've been training on my own for a year. It's lonely. I will be very happy to get back training."
Pogba has also addressed speculation linking him with a possible move to Ligue 1 club Marseille, while he has also refused to rule out a return to the Premier League.
Oliver Thomas
