Pogba in 'advanced talks' to join former Man Utd teammate

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 9 Oct 2024 10:22 BST
• 3 min read

Paul Pogba is reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ with Marseille as he gears up for his return to action next year.

The 31-year-old had a four-year drug ban has been reduced to 18 months and will now be back on the pitch in March. He had tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - a banned substance that can raise testosterone levels - after Juventus’ win over Udinese in August 2023.

A second test also came back positive, he received a four-year footballing ban before it was reduced to just 18 months by CAS.

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Now MLS, journalist Malick Traore has claimed Marseille are in advanced discussions in a deal that would see Pogba reunited with Mason Greenwood, formerly of Manchester United.

He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "OM has been in advanced discussions with Paul Pogba for several weeks for a signing in January."

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The CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the initial ruling on Monday. The body released a lengthy statement which read: “The CAS Panel based its decision on the evidence and legal arguments made that Mr Pogba’s ingestion of DHEA, the substance for which he tested positive, was not intentional and was the result of erroneously taking a supplement prescribed to him by a medical doctor in Florida, after Mr Pogba had been given assurances that the medical doctor, who had claimed to treat several high level US and international athletes, was knowledgeable and would be mindful of Mr Pogba’s anti-doping obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code.

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"Mr Pogba sought a sanction of only 12 months in recognition of the presence of some fault on his part (he did not seek a determination of no fault or negligence from the CAS Panel). ”NADO Italia argued that the Player’s recklessness was serious and justified a 4-year ban.

"Mr Pogba’s case was supported by several experts. Much of the evidence provided by Mr Pogba was unopposed. The CAS Panel determined, however, that Mr Pogba was not without fault and that, as a professional football player, he should have paid a greater care in the circumstances."