JAKARTA - Paul Pogba admits that his dream is to play for Real Madrid one day, while clarifying the situation of his current contract at Manchester United.
Pogba's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent years, amid constant criticism of his form and fitness at Old Trafford.
United spent £ 89 million repatriating the France midfielder from Juventus in 2016, but since then he has not lived up to the expectations of his high transfer fee.
The 27-year-old is often the scapegoat for the team's defeats or poor form, and he appears to have hit a breaking point at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Pogba has publicly admitted he is ready to look for a new challenge outside of Manchester in the summer of 2019, with Madrid considered his next destination, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally managed to convince him to stick around for another year.
A serious ankle injury limited his playing time significantly last season and it wasn't until football resumed in June that he could find his best form.
The 2018 World Cup winners finally played a key role in United's bid to finish third in the English Premier League last season. However, he is now back in the spotlight at the start of the new season. The Red Devils have picked up just three points from three games in the Premier League before the international break.
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane reportedly still admires the midfielder.
When asked about Zidane's interest in him, Pogba did not hesitate to say that his dream is to play for Real Madrid one day.
"We have all heard that many things have been said. What has to be said? Yes, all footballers will be happy to play for Real Madrid. It may be a dream," he told a press conference after France beat Ukraine 7-1 in a friendly match. which was reported from Antara, October 8 local time.
"This is a dream for me, why not someday? However, I play for Manchester United and I love my club. I am playing for Manchester United, I am happy and I want to do everything to put the club in a proper place."
"I will give my maximum, like my team mates."
Pogba's contract will expire at the end of the season and United have yet to offer a contract extension.
"I haven't spoken to Ed Woodward (deputy CEO of Manchester United)," he said. "We're not talking about a contract extension. For now, I'm in Manchester and I'm focused on getting back to my best."
"I think there will be times when the club come and talk to me and maybe offer me something, or not. So far, nothing has happened."
"I can't tell you something I don't know."
United recently suffered an embarrassing 1-6 defeat at home to Tottenham last week, which has further increased the pressure on Solskjaer as he attempts to end United's three-year trophy drought.
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