Paul Pogba is reportedly close to making a highly-anticipated return to football, with advanced negotiations underway for him to join a new club once his current suspension is lifted.
The French midfielder, whose career has faced significant setbacks recently, is now seeing hope after his doping ban was considerably reduced.
This reduction will allow him to resume training by January 2025, opening the door for a return to competitive football by March 2025.
Initially, Pogba was facing a four-year suspension from football after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that increases hormone production, including testosterone.
A ban of this length would have almost certainly ended his career at the top level.
However, following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), his suspension was shortened to 18 months, giving Pogba a second chance.
This decision will allow him to start training in early 2025, with a potential comeback to the field shortly thereafter.
Currently playing for Juventus, Pogba’s time at the Italian club is expected to end soon, as both sides are reportedly working toward a mutual termination of his contract.
The Frenchman, who rejoined Juventus in 2022 after leaving Manchester United, has had a difficult second stint with the club due to a combination of injuries and the doping scandal that has overshadowed his return to Italy.
With his exit from Juventus now imminent, Pogba is exploring new opportunities for the next phase of his career.
One of the most intriguing prospects is a potential move to Marseille, with journalist Malick Traore from NCI reporting that negotiations are in advanced stages.
This potential return to France has generated excitement across Europe, as Pogba’s next club destination becomes a hot topic of discussion.
If the deal is finalized in January 2025, Pogba could reunite with his former Manchester United teammate Mason Greenwood, as well as talented players like Neal Maupay and Pierre Emile-Højbjerg.
Under the management of ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille is building a squad that could compete for major honors in Ligue 1.
Adding to the intrigue, Marseille recently signed Adrien Rabiot, another former Juventus player and Pogba’s former teammate, on a free transfer.
The prospect of Pogba joining forces with familiar faces in Marseille has sparked even more interest in this potential transfer.
A move back to France would be a major turning point in Pogba’s career, marking his return to his homeland after years of playing abroad in England and Italy.
Pogba’s doping case began when he tested positive for DHEA after the opening match of the 2023/24 season in August.
The verdict, handed down in October 2023, threatened to derail his future in football, but Pogba has always insisted that he did not knowingly use banned substances.
He maintained that the positive test resulted from a nutritional supplement prescribed by his doctor, which he claimed had no performance-enhancing effects.
After winning his appeal, Pogba expressed his relief in a public statement, saying, “Finally, the nightmare is over.”
He reiterated that he did not intentionally break anti-doping rules, and expressed gratitude for the CAS’s decision to fairly review his case.
Although the past several months were highly stressful, with his career in jeopardy, Pogba thanked his supporters and emphasized his commitment to integrity in the game.
With Pogba now preparing for a return, the football world is eagerly watching to see where he will land.
Whether in Marseille or another club, Pogba’s journey continues, and fans across the globe are excited to see him regain his place among football’s top midfielders.
His comeback, filled with redemption and renewed determination, is poised to be a major talking point in the sport’s landscape in the coming months.