BBC pundit urges former Man United star Paul Pogba to make shock transfer - 'have to drop down'

Paul Pogba has been free to return to competitive football for the last month after his doping ban ended, but the ex-Manchester United star is still a free agent

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba should drop down to the Championship and make a shock move to Norwich City, according to one-time Premier League title-winner Chris Sutton.

Pogba, 32, has been without a club since his contract was terminated by Juventus in November. The France international left the Serie A club despite having his four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months on appeal after testing positive for the prohibited substance DHEA.

Since Pogba's ban ended in March, he has been linked with a move back to United. However, Sky Sports Germany reported on Wednesday that he is not considering a return to the Premier League. A transfer to Bundesliga, La Liga, or Ligue 1, Saudi Pro League and MLS are said to be under consideration.

Another potential destination for Pogba, meanwhile, is the Championship. Ex-Chelsea and Blackburn forward Sutton has urged Pogba to drop down to the second-tier of English football to get his career back and running, with Norwich namechecked as the team he should sign for.

Speaking about the midfielder's options in an interview with BestBettingSites.co.uk, Sutton said: "I'd love to see Paul Pogba at Norwich City. Do I think his career is over? Well, he'd be a little fish in a big pond if he came to Norwich.

"I've got to say in truth, in recent seasons, he had had a doping issue, didn't he? So I think he missed a large chunk of football recently, and I think at his age that's really difficult when you're out for that long to come back and hit the heights which he once did."

Sutton added: "He's such a talented player but I think he may believe he can still play at the highest level. I think that it would be really difficult for him to come back after so long. So he'll just have to drop down a little bit and still play at a high level with Norwich City at Carrow Road."

Last week, Pogba opened up on his future amid speculation about his return to football. He last played a competitive game back in September 2023 for Juventus against Empoli.

Speaking to GQ Magazine, Pogba said: "Today, there are offers. Coming from all over."

When quizzed on where the proposals have come from, Pogba added: "From all over. I want to see what suits me best. Because I'm in a crucial period of my life and career. It's a decision I'm going to take the time to consider."

While it's not his firm focus right now, Pogba has hinted that he's eyeing up a stunning return to France's national team, no matter what club he plays for.

"First, I need to get back into my rhythm," said Pogba when asked about playing for France again. "In the national team, it's not really the club that matters. Andre-Pierre Gignac was in the team when he played in Mexico. N'Golo Kante came back while he's in Saudi Arabia. It'll depend on me."