Is Paul Pogba's return to football near? Who is he joining?

According to recent reports across various media outlets, French international Paul Pogba is all set to return to sporting action. The player is rumored to be in talks with AS Monaco and is expected to return to the French top flight. He is set to end his two-year hiatus from the sport by joining Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.

The report read: 

Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is in advanced talks with Monaco as he seeks a return to football after a doping suspension. The French World Cup winner, 32, is moving towards a return to his homeland with the Ligue 1 side.

The 32-year-old was banned for four years after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone. He was handed a doping suspension by the Italian anti-doping tribunal in September 2023, following a random test conducted after Juventus’ game against Udinese. Paul Pogba mutually terminated his contract with the Old Lady before his sentence was later reduced to 18 months. Now, the player aims to return to action after serving the ban.

Why did Paul Pogba’s sentence get reduced? 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, where the player had appealed, stated in its final judgment that the player had inadvertently consumed DHEA, which led to elevated testosterone levels. DHEA is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list. However, the ruling also mentioned that it has performance-enhancing effects primarily in females, not males.

Who is interested in signing Paul Pogba? 

The French footballer has been linked with a move to the Middle East, which is participating in the FIFA Club World Cup. However, his conversations with the French outfit are progressing well and the deal is expected to be sealed. The move is set to mark his return to Ligue 1 for the first time in 16 years. Paul Pogba had featured for Le Havre as a 16-year-old before making the move to Manchester United in 2009.