Dimitri Payet tells Paul Pogba to ignore Premier League interest and secure a ‘dream’ move to Marseille as ex-Man United star considers options ahead of March return

Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet has told Paul Pogba to join Marseille as the midfielder prepares to decide his future upon his return to playing in the new year.

The 31-year-old will be able to resume competitive action in March after having his initial four-year doping ban reduced to just 18 months, and the former Man United star remains undecided over his next destination.

Juventus terminated Pogba’s contract to leave the Frenchman as a free agent and plenty of suitors – including Premier League clubs – are expected to contest for his signature.

One possible destination is a return to his homeland where Pogba would find himself eased back to playing following his lengthy absence in the less physically demanding Ligue 1.

Now, his former Les Blues team-mate, Payet, is trying to convince Pogba that Marseille would be the perfect location for him to rediscover his best form.

Roberto de Zerbi departed Brighton in the summer to takeover at Marseille and has put together a title-challenging team including the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Adrien Rabio, and Pogba’s former Man United team-mate, Mason Greenwood.

Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet has told Paul Pogba to join Marseille as the midfielder prepares to decide his future

Payet is trying to convince Pogba that Marseille would be the perfect location for him to rediscover his best form

Payet is an icon in France’s oldest city having twice starred at Marseille either side of his stunning West Ham career and has revealed is it would be a ‘dream’ to see Pogba at the club.

Speaking to BeIN Sport, Payet said: ‘Like all Marseille supporters, of course it makes you dream. 

‘After that, is it true or not, I can’t tell you more. I’ve worked with him in the national team, he’s rubbed shoulders with other former Marseille players, he knows where he’s going. 

‘He has already played here, it can only be beneficial for him a club like Marseille,’ he added.

Pogba is likely to decide his next destination soon as he targets being back on the pitch as soon as his ban ends in March and wants to return to the highest level of European football.

The box-to-box midfielder is said to prefer a move to Serie A, LaLiga, or the Bundesliga instead of playing in France or England.

Payet and Pogba previously played alongside each other in the France national team

Pogba is said to prefer a move to Serie A, LaLiga, or the Bundesliga instead of playing in France or England

However, his former club and country colleague, Rabiot, believes Marseille’s new structure could provide the perfect platform for Pogba to restart his career at. 

‘Of course, I’d like to play with Paul. He was greatly invited to come and play at Olympique de Marseille,’ he said.

‘What we are putting in place is really very important. There is a real dynamic, it’s very professional, from the players to the coach and the management. 

‘There is really ambition. If he wants to come, it’s with great pleasure,’ he told DAZN.