Paul Pogba ‘is contacted by a sporting director over potential move away from Juventus’ – as midfielder prepares to end contract at Italian giants after his doping ban was reduced
- The star left Manchester for Turin in 2022 after a difficult spell at Old Trafford
- In February he was given a doping ban, which has now been reduced to eighteen months
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Paul Pogba has reportedly been approached by a sporting director about a possible move from Juventus, as the midfielder prepares to end his contract with the Italian giants.
The Frenchman left Manchester for Turin in 2022 after a difficult spell at United, during which he made 233 appearances and scored 39 goals.
He joined the Red Devils in 2016 for a world record fee of £89 million but failed to live up to high expectations. Problems with various managers left his future uncertain during the last three years of his time at the club.
A year after his move to Juventus, Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban after a drug test revealed elevated testosterone levels in his system.
Pogba was given a lifeline earlier this month when the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the sentence from four years to 18 months following an appeal, meaning he could return in March.
Juventus is expected to retire Pogba’s contract with Provence And le10sport Marseille have shown interest in giving Pogba a platform for a comeback.
Paul Pogba has reportedly been contacted by Marseille over a possible move from Juventus
Pogba saw his doping ban reduced to eighteen months, which gave the midfielder hope of a comeback
He joined the Red Devils in 2016 for a world record fee of £89 million but failed to live up to expectations
The midfielder’s team are in early talks with representatives of the French side, including sporting director and former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia.
It is believed that official negotiations have not yet begun.
Marseille are not the only team investigating Pogba. Several clubs in the MLS believe they are ready to make a move if the France international becomes a free agent.
The 31-year-old’s career seemed over after he was handed a four-year ban in February, but this week’s reprieve has given him a second chance.
The suspension, which started in September 2023, will now expire in March, with the midfielder able to train from January.
The final decision by CAS confirmed that Pogba had accidentally taken DHEA, a substance that increases testosterone and is on the WADA banned list.
Crucially, however, the ruling states that DHEA only affects women.
Pogba’s appeal took place at the end of August at CAS headquarters in Switzerland and the player was only recently informed of the verdict.
The French World Cup winner later released a statement celebrating the end of ‘the nightmare’.
He said: ‘Finally the nightmare is over.
The midfielder’s team are in early talks with representatives of the French side, including sporting director and former Juventus defender Medhi Benatia.
Marseille, Pogba’s potential new club, is managed by former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi
They caused controversy over the summer when they completed a £30 million deal to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United
‘After the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can make my dreams come true again.’
Marseille, Pogba’s potential new club, is managed by former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi and caused controversy last summer when they completed a £30 million deal to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United after a season on loan at Getafe.
The attacker was arrested in January 2022 on charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour. The charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service following the ‘withdrawal of key witnesses and the coming to light of new material’.