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Pogba ready for 'new challenge' away from Manchester United

TOKYO (AP) - France midfielder Paul Pogba says he is considering a move from Manchester United amid speculation over interest from Real Madrid and Juventus.

Pogba said he feels ready for a "new challenge somewhere else" at a publicity event in Tokyo on Sunday.

"For me, you know I've been here for three years in Manchester, it's been great," he said. "(But) I think for me it can be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else."

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has publicly said he likes Pogba, and the Spanish club has been linked to interest in the athletic midfielder as it embarks on a major overhaul of its squad following one of its worst seasons in recent memory.

There has also been speculation of a possible return by the 26-year-old Pogba to Juventus, where he played for four seasons before United re-signed him in 2016 for a then world-record transfer fee of ˆ£89 million (around 110 million dollars). Maurizio Sarri left Chelsea on Sunday after one season to return to Italy to manage Juventus.

Other top clubs are also thought to be interested in Pogba.

Pogba helped France win the World Cup last summer. But he has been inconsistent at United, which could only finish sixth in the English Premier League last season after a difficult campaign that saw the firing of coach José Mourinho.

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Manchester United's soccer player Paul Pogba, poses for the media during a media day in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 13, 2019. Pogba is in Seoul as a part of his Asian tour. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) The Associated Press
France's forward Olivier Giroud, left, Paul Pogba, center, and France's forward Antoine Griezmann prepare to kick-off after Turkey scored a goal during the Euro 2020 Group H qualifying soccer match between Turkey and France in Konya, Turkey, Saturday June 8, 2019. (AP Photo) The Associated Press
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