- Paul Pogba is serving an 18-month doping ban that is set to end in March
- He is searching for his next club, and is interested in joining a European giant
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Paul Pogba is reportedly interested in joining a major European club once his reduced doping ban is served.
The former Manchester United star was hit with a four-year ban earlier this year after testing positive for a banned substance in August 2023, but his suspension was slashed to 18 months upon appeal, meaning he is free to return to the pitch in March 2025.
Pogba agreed with Juventus to mutually terminate his contract last month, and he is now looking for a new club.
According to RMC Sport, Pogba is interested in joining Marseille in a move that would see him reunited with his former United team-mate Mason Greenwood.
The report states Marseille are keen on getting a deal done, as Pogba is club owner Frank McCourt’s favourite player.
McCourt is understood to have been a fan of Pogba’s ever since he starred in France’s run to the Euro 2016 final, and could finally bring the 31-year-old to Marseille in the coming months.
Paul Pogba is searching for a new club after his Juventus contract was terminated last month
He is reportedly interested in joining Marseille, and could be reunited with his ex-Man United team-mate Mason Greenwood (third right)
Marseille are second in Ligue 1 and are managed by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi
Marseille are managed by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, and currently sit second in Ligue 1, five points behind leaders PSG.
Pogba was encouraged to sign for Marseille last month by his ex-France team-mate Adil Rami, after the pair won the World Cup together six years ago.
Rami said on his Twitch: ‘Pogba! The great player! How are you, bro? Rumours say you’re going to Olympique de Marseille. If it’s true, I’m very happy, this team needs a little more character.
‘If it happens, bro, I’ll arrive in Marseille with three, four or five jerseys that you’ll sign for me, including one for my Twitch community and my subscribers.’
Pogba is yet to respond to speculation over his future, and he has also been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia or the US.
Meanwhile, former United star Louis Saha revealed recently that Pogba could return to Old Trafford to train with the club, and even hinted that his fellow Frenchman may be set for a third spell at United.
‘I’ve heard some rumours that Paul Pogba will be offered the opportunity to come back and train with Man United in the New Year, and I think that would be a great opportunity for Paul,’ Saha told Casino Utan Spelpaus.
‘He needs to get back to his best level as quickly as possible, and training with top players will help him to do that. I think he would be thrilled to have the opportunity to go back to the club.
‘I also think that Paul Pogba is still a very special player. When you think about midfielders, Pogba has unique qualities.
‘I think the United squad lacks power in the midfield, and we’re missing a skilful player that can play box-to-box, so he would be a good addition [to the United squad] because he’s a different profile of player to what United have.’
Prior to his doping ban, Pogba suffered a number of injury setbacks and was only able to feature 12 times for Juventus in a little over a season at the club.
He has not played a competitive game since coming off the bench in a 2-0 win over Empoli on September 3, 2023.