Paul Pogba 'in advanced talks' over Manchester United reunion

Paul Pogba was handed a four-year ban in February after testing positive for a banned substance, but the suspension has now been reduced on appeal and he is in talks over a new club

Paul Pogba is reportedly in talks with Marseille over a potential transfer after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months. Pogba tested positive for the banned substance DHEA after Juventus' match against Udinese in August 2023, but he has always maintained that he did not intentionally take it.

Following a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Pogba will be eligible to play again in March 2025.

"Finally the nightmare is over," Pogba said after the decision. "Following the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again."

Juventus CEO Maurizio Scanavino confirmed that the club is in talks with Pogba's representatives about terminating his contract early. "We are talking to his entourage," Scanavino told Sky Sport Italia. "Pogba is a great player and he certainly can still play. However, between injuries and bans, he effectively hasn't really played for two years. These are all elements we need to evaluate and I can confirm we are talking to his staff.", reports the Mirror.

According to reports, Marseille are already in advanced talks with Pogba, and he could join the Ligue 1 club in January, reuniting with his former Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood. Patrice Evra, a close friend of Paul Pogba and former Marseille star, has expressed his desire to see the midfielder at the French club.

Speaking on the Rothen s'enflamme podcast, Evra revealed his intentions to persuade sporting director Medhi Benatia to secure Pogba's transfer: "I think we won't see Paul again in Juve colours," said Evra. "We have to turn the page. I'm going to call Medhi Benatia so that he can call him because the doors are open."

Pogba, who began his professional journey at Old Trafford, moved to Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 seeking more playing time. His success in Italy, which included four Serie A titles, led to a record-breaking £89.3million return to Manchester United, but his second stint did not pan out as hoped, prompting a move back to Juventus in 2022.