DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - JULY 01: Former France, Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba reacts with former France, Juventus and Barceloona defender Lilian Thuram ( also the father of Marcus Thuram of France ) in the tribune prior to during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at Düsseldorf Arena on July 01, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY - JULY 01: Former France, Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba reacts with former France, Juventus and Barceloona defender Lilian Thuram ( also the father of Marcus Thuram of France ) in the tribune prior to during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at Düsseldorf Arena on July 01, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Premier League cult hero Dimitri Payet has told Paul Pogba which club to join as the former Manchester United star nears the end of his doping ban.
Pogba, 31, mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Italian giants Juventus in November, having last played for the Serie A heavyweights in August 2023. That was before the French midfielder was hit with a four-year ban for a doping offence.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted Pogba's argument that his ingestion of a banned substance 'was not intentional', reducing his suspension to 18 months from the start date, September last year. He'll now be allowed to play again in March 2025.
It was reported over the weekend that United's bitter rivals, City, had sounded out a move, but Mirror Football understands that the reigning Premier League champions aren't considering such a deal. A return to his homeland looks more realistic, with ex-West Ham star Payet suggesting a 'dream' transfer.
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Pogba's old team-mate for France has urged him to join Marseille, who have plenty of former Premier League stars in their ranks, including ex-United forward Mason Greenwood. Speaking to BeIN Sport ahead of Marseille's 1-1 draw with Lille, Payet said: "Like all Marseille supporters, of course it's a dream [for Pogba to join the club].
"After that, whether it's true or not, I can't tell you more. I've rubbed shoulders with him in the national team, he's rubbed shoulders with other former Marseille players, he knows where he's going. He's already played here, a club like Marseille can only be beneficial for him."
Should Paul Pogba sign for Marseille? Have your say in the comments section.
Dimitri Payet played alongside Paul Pogba for France ( Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Adrien Rabiot, another of Pogba's old team-mates, has already stated that he'd be keen to reunite with Pogba at Marseille, who he joined in August. "I would like to play with Paul," Rabiot told L'Equipe. "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."
Whichever club he ends up at, Pogba's target is a return to the France squad. "I hope. It is in my mind for sure," he told Sky Sports. "I have to be ready for that. There are players who deserve to play and I have to win my place back. I am ready to fight."
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