West Ham have effectively ruled themselves out of signing Paul Pogba on a free transfer, according to the Claret & Hugh.

The site’s reporter Sean Whetstone, who has close contacts with the club’s ownership, claims that the Hammers are “in no position” to agree personal terms with the former Manchester United player.

Pogba is currently serving a ban for failing a drug test but the length of the suspension has been reduced from four years to 18 months.

It means that the 31-year-old will be eligible to play again in March next year. The player is also free to find a new team. He is currently a free agent, having had his contract terminated with Juventus.

Pogba’s contract demands

The Claret & Hugh claim that the former France international is demanding a salary “in excess of £160,000 a week” – that is a figure which would make him West Ham’s best-paid player ahead of the likes of captain Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.

Pogba’s agents are also reportedly demanding a substantial fee while there is expected to be a sizeable signing-on bonus involved too. The Irons have, therefore, decided that it would cost too much money.

West Ham are not the only Premier League team to be offered the player

It is believed that multiple teams in England’s top flight have been given the chance to sign Pogba. He has been tipped for a return to United while some pundits have backed him to join Arsenal.

However, his wage demands, combined with his age and poor fitness record, mean that clubs may see it as too much of a risk. From the sound of things, it looks like he won’t be plying his trade at the London Stadium in the New Year.

Find out who is in West Ham’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here