Latest news with #Pogba
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Going somewhere Paul? Pogba posts cryptic social media message ahead of sealing move to Champions League club after 18-month doping ban
Paul Pogba has shared a cryptic post on social media as he looks set to return to the beautiful game for the first time after an 18-month doping ban from the sport. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was handed a four-year doping ban after returning an adverse drug test. However, that suspension was later slashed to just 18 months. Now, the ban has been served and Pogba is free to play the game once again with many European clubs eager to bring him on board. One of those clubs is set to do just that, with the midfielder now reportedly on the verge of a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco. A medical is believed to be pencilled in at the Champions League side after they reached an agreement on a two-year contract with Pogba earlier this week. Ahead of the move, it appears that the World Cup winner is set to jet off somewhere as he posted a selfie from within an airport departure lounge, accompanied by a four-emoji-long message. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) The post on Instagram first shows Pogba travelling somewhere with a seatbelt on, while the picture that follows looks to show him smiling in a lounge. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Pogba was set to fly into the principality of Monaco to undergo a medical, before putting pen to paper on a contract, which has led to speculation that Pogba's post is in regards to that. French newspaper Le Parisien reported on Tuesday that Pogba had made 'significant financial sacrifices' to agree terms with the Ligue 1 side, with an agreement having been reached on Sunday. Though he has not actually played a game since September 2023, he has at least been sharing the progress of his training regime on social media in order to reignite his football career. Joining Monaco would see Pogba return to the Champions League after the Ligue 1 side finished third in the league behind Marseille and champions PSG. Despite representing France 91 times and winning the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, he has never actually played in the country's top-flight. Having come through the ranks at Manchester United, he joined Juventus before a then-record return to Old Trafford in 2016. From United, he once again joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, before his life came crumbling down in his second season back at the Old Lady when he learned of his suspension. The 30-year-old tested positive for testosterone after Juventus's first game of the 2023-24 season against Udinese, and was given a hefty four-yeard punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor's office in Italy. However, in October 2024 Mail Sport exclusively revealed that the former France international's original suspension had been slashed to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In CAS' final judgement, it was confirmed that Pogba did inadvertently take DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone that is on WADA's banned list. Crucially, however, the ruling states that DHEA only affects females. In an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last year, Pogba revealed the story of how he found out the news that he would be able to play football again in 2025. 'Here's a funny story: I was trying on a new suit for a film premiere but I didn't have my phone,' Pogba told Mail Sport. 'My wife (Zulay) comes rushing upstairs with my phone screaming, 'It's the lawyer'. I said I would call him back but she said I had to take the call. 'So I went downstairs to speak to him with the suit on! He told me the news and I was silent. Everyone was jumping, so happy but I was in shock. Quickly that happiness turned into a determination. We went through hell. A time of darkness. But this is my second chance, I have to use it. I was pumped.'
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Paul Pogba set for Monaco medical ahead of Ligue 1 move
Paul Pogba is set to undergo a medical at Monaco on Friday ahead of a proposed move to the Ligue 1 club. The Athletic reported on June 13 that Monaco were interested in move for Pogba. The 32-year-old is a free agent having left Juventus by mutual consent in November 2024. Pogba had not played for the Italian side since the previous September, after he failed an anti-doping test. He was initially given a four-year ban that was reduced to 18 months on appeal, which meant he was eligible to return to training in January and to playing in March. Advertisement Pogba had been linked with a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) after he was pictured at several matches during his ban. The Athletic reported in April that D.C. United owned the Frenchman's discovery rights. Monaco's move for Pogba comes with the club also expected to sign Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona. The 22-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Friday. Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last term, four points behind second-placed Marseille and 23 behind winners Paris Saint-Germain. Though a 91-time France international, Pogba has not played senior football in his homeland, having moved to Manchester United's academy from Le Havre as a youth. Pogba made his professional debut for United in October 2011, playing only seven times before leaving at the end of that season and joining Juventus. There, he established himself as one of the world's best midfielders, winning four consecutive Serie A titles, two Coppas Italia and finishing runner-up in the Champions League in 2014-15. Pogba moved back to United for €110million (£93.2m) in the summer of 2016 but struggled with injuries towards the end of his contract and returned to Juventus on a free transfer six years later. He made only 10 appearances in 2022-23, and featured twice before his ban the following campaign.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Paul Pogba returns to football, signs a two-year contract with AS Monaco
French World Cup winner Paul Pogba has returned to football, joining Ligue 1 side AS Monaco on a contract until 2027, according to reports from France and the United Kingdom. Pogba, 32, was banned for four years after failing a dug test in August 2023 while he was playing for Juventus in the Serie A. Though the ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal, the Italian side eventually terminated his contract. The Frenchman will now join Monaco on a two-year contract, looking to make a comeback in professional football. Pogba, a youth product of Manchester United, was initially released from the club by Sir Alex Ferguson, but rose to his prime at Juventus as a midfielder. In four seasons, he won eight trophies with the Old Lady of Turin, also reaching the UEFA Champions League final in 2015. His exploits attracted the interest of the then-manager of United, Jose Mourinho, who roped him in for a world record fee of 105 million euros. Under the Portuguese, Pogba won the Europa League and the League Cup, playing 154 times for the Red Devils before relations turned sour between him and the club as he returned to Juve. At the international level, Pogba had become France's linchpin in the midfield, helping it win the FIFA World Cup after 20 years, in 2018, and its maiden UEFA Nations League in 2021.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Transfer news: Arsenal close in on deals for Norgaard and Kepa
Arsenal are exploring a £10m deal for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, with the potential of £5m in performance related add-ons. The 31-year-old has been a key figure for the Bees since their promotion to the Premier League, racking up over 200 appearances at the Gtech Community Stadium. Coincidentally, Norgaard scored against Arsenal in Brentford's first ever Premier League game in 2021, when the Bees beat Mikel Arteta's side 2-0 at home. The Gunners are looking to replace Thomas Partey in the holding midfielder role with the Ghanaian's contract expiring this week. Partey is likely to depart this summer having so far failed to agree on a contract extension. Arteta looks set to recruit another Spanish shotstopper to the Arsenal ranks with the Gunners close to a deal for Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal will pay his £5m release clause meaning he will compete with fellow countryman David Raya for the number 1 jersey at the Emirates. Arsenal opted against a permanent move for Bournemouth's Neto, who spent last season on loan at the North London club. Paul Pogba is poised to return to football with Monaco after the conclusion of a doping ban. The France international has a agreed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 club and will undergo a medical this week. The 32-year-old last played a competitive game for Juventus in September 2023 before receiving a four-year suspension after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). France's Paul Pogba will join Monaco. File picture: Daniel Cole/AP Pogba appealed against the length of his ban, which was reduced to 18 months, and has been free to play since March. Pogba, who has 91 caps, attracted interest from clubs across the world after agreeing to terminate his Juventus contract last November. Sides from MLS and Saudi Arabia made overtures but the midfielder decided it would be best to restart his career in Monaco, who hope the deal will be concluded this week. Meanwhile, Rangers have announced the signing of defender Max Aarons from Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal. Chelsea have reopened negotiations with Borussia Dortmund over winger Jamie Gittens as both clubs look to find an agreement. Dortmund previously rejected a £42m offer from Chelsea for the 20-year-old a fortnight ago and are expected to return with an improved bid. Treaty United goalkeeper Michael Dike has joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a permanent deal. The youngster penned his contract with the Premier League club this week. He will join the club's U21 squad where he will commence pre-season preparations. Michael started his footballing career at local schoolboy club, Caherdavin Celtic. He eventually made his Treaty United senior debut, aged 17, when coming on as a substitute for the injured Corey Chambers in a 1-0 away victory over Kerry FC on March 1 of last year in the LOI First Division. Michael went on to make 10 first team appearances for Treaty in the 2024 season.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Pogba returns! French midfielder set to sign 2-year deal with AS Monaco
Pogba, who has earned 91 caps for France, became a free agent in November after mutually terminating his contract with Juventus. Shashwat Nishant New Delhi Paul Pogba is set to make his football comeback with AS Monaco following the end of his doping suspension. The French midfielder has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 side and is scheduled to undergo a medical examination later this week. Pogba to return to the big stage after more than a year The 32-year-old last played competitively for Juventus in September 2023 before receiving a four-year ban for testing positive for the banned substance DHEA. However, after appealing the initial decision, the suspension was reduced to 18 months, making him eligible to play again since March. Pogba, who has earned 91 caps for France, became a free agent in November after mutually terminating his contract with Juventus. Although he received interest from clubs in the MLS and Saudi Arabia, the World Cup winner chose to resume his career in Monaco. The club is optimistic that the deal will be finalised within days. Pogba returns to French football Despite beginning his youth career at Le Havre, Pogba has never played club football in France. His professional career includes two stints at Manchester United, including a then-record £89.3 million transfer in 2016. While he initially impressed in England, his second spell was less successful. Pogba returned to Juventus in 2022 on a free transfer but was plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances prior to his suspension.
