Robin Bairner
Paul Pogba, 2024
© IMAGO
Paul Pogba has at least one concrete offer to return to professional football amid claims that he could be on his way back to Manchester United.
Pogba has been banned for taking a performance enhancing substance since August 2023, and though he will not be able to return to action until an 18-month ban has been served in March, he has been given the green light to return to training in January.
This has led to speculation over where the 31-year-old World Cup winner might play next.
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha claims that he has “heard rumours” that Pogba could be on his way back to Old Trafford, yet the former Juventus midfielder has been offered at least one opportunity in his homeland.
Marseille midfielder Adrien Rabiot says that Pogba has been invited to play at Stade Velodrome under Roberto De Zerbi.
Speaking to DAZN, Rabiot, who was a team-mate of Pogba at Juve, said: “I would like to play with Paul. We had the opportunity to rub shoulders quickly at Juventus. We didn't have too many opportunities to play together because he had a lot of problems. I was very disappointed.
“We are definitely inviting him to come and play at OM. What we are putting in place is really very important. There is a real dynamic, it is very professional, from the players to the coach and the management. There is real ambition. If he wants to come, we would have him with great pleasure.”
Marseille: A realistic destination for Pogba ?
Marseille have been ambitious in the transfer market in recent months and have not shied away from signing controversial players.
De Zerbi’s side, for example, snapped up Mason Greenwood from Man Utd, despite the forward having been accused of attempted rape, engaging in controlling behaviour and assault – charges which the player vehemently denied and were ultimately dropped.
Pogba could, therefore, be a legitimate January transfer target for a Marseille team second in Ligue 1, five points behind PSG.