Paul Pogba is encouraged to sign for Marseille by forgotten World Cup winner – as he brands transfer periods ‘s***’ amid uncertainty over the former Man United man’s future

Paul Pogba should sign for Marseille after his departure from Juventus was confirmed, according to a forgotten World Cup winner.

The former United midfielder will be eligible to return to the grass in January after his four-year drugs ban was slashed to just 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in October, news exclusively revealed by Mail Sport.

Pogba was originally suspended on September 11, 2023, by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO) for increased levels of testosterone, following a random drug test.

The Frenchman’s original contract at Juventus was set to expire in June 2026 after he re-joined the club from United in the summer of 2022. However, he is now without a club and took to Instagram to thank Juventus for their support.

His playing return will come in March, though it remains to be seen who that will be with, and he has been linked with a number of clubs, from former side Manchester United to those in the Saudi Pro League.

But one team who he now being tipped to join is Marseille in France, with former World Cup winner, Adil Rami, who lifted the trophy with Pogba in 2018, suggesting he should move to his homeland.

Pogba has left former club Juventus as he nears a return to playing after his doping ban

Now, former France team-mate Adil Rami (right) has called for him to return to his homeland

‘Pogba! The great player! How are you, bro?, Rami said on his Twitch via RMC Sport, sending a voice note to the midfielder. ‘Rumors say you’re going to Olympique de Marseille. If it’s true, I’m very happy, this team needs a little more character.

‘If it happens, bro, I’ll arrive in Marseille with three, four or five jerseys that you’ll sign for me, including one for my Twitch community and my subscribers.’

The January transfer window doesn’t open for another few weeks, which is when a number of players will make their moves with the futures of a number of stars uncertain.

That includes the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgin van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, whose deals run out in the summer and are free to talk to foreign clubs about free moves at the end of the campaign.

Naturally, transfers can be difficult times for the players, and Rami wasn’t keen to push his former team-mate too hard despite offering his suggestion. 

‘I would be so happy to see you at OM,’ he continued. . ‘Keep me posted and we’ll catch up.

‘If you need anything, you’re my soldier. Marseille is a very, very, very good choice. I wish that for you and I wish that for them.

‘I won’t bother you too much because transfer periods are s***.’ 

Roberto De Zerbi is the man currently in charge of Marseille, who are third in the Ligue 1 table

Marseille are currently managed by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, though the Italian did threaten to resign after his side’s defeat by Auxerre last time out.

De Zerbi has signed a number of players including the likes of Mason Greenwood and former Tottenham man Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and his side sit third in the Ligue 1 table after 11 games.

They are nine points of top spot and leaders Paris Saint-Germain, however, who are yet to be beaten in the league this season.

Pogba could join the club for free if an agreement was made, but there has been no indication that discussions have been held.