Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is finally set to return to the pitch next season and he is on the verge of a move to AS Monaco.
Paul Pogba received an 18-month ban from football after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels during his time at Juventus in August 2023.
The French midfielder had returned to the Italian club in the summer of 2022 after leaving Manchester United, but his second stint in Turin was marred by injuries and limited impact before the suspension was imposed.
Originally facing a four-year ban, the punishment was reduced to 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted that Pogba’s use of the banned substance was unintentional.
His suspension officially ended on 11 March, and he has since parted ways with Juventus to look for a new club elsewhere, with several options on the table.
There were rumours of a return to Old Trafford for the Frenchman, but they lacked substance and the move was eventually ruled out.
United trio react to Pogba message
Pogba has now seemingly chosen his next destination ahead of the new season, with AS Monaco pushing to complete a deal for the World Cup winner.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the Ligue 1 club are pushing to get the Pogba deal ‘over the line’ this weekend, alongside a loan move for Barcelona winger Ansu Fati.
The ex-United midfielder has been away from the pitch for a long while and is finally getting his return soon. On Instagram this week, he posted an image with the caption: “Smile ! Because you alive ☝🏾”
Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu were among those to like the post, along with Pogba’s ex-United teammate Jesse Lingard.
Fernandes played alongside Pogba at Old Trafford for three years and built a close relationship with him. The Portuguese midfielder also reacted to training footage the Frenchman posted recently with the message, “[It] is almost time 😍”.
United also set for De Gea reunion this summer
Speaking of former United players, the Reds are set for a reunion with David de Gea later this summer as they face Fiorentina at OId Trafford in their final pre-season friendly.
De Gea left United in the summer of 2023 and spent a year out of the game before joining the Italian outfit at the beginning of last season.
After impressing in his debut campaign, the ex-United shot-stopper was rewarded with a new two-year deal and is set to play at his old stomping ground once again.
It will be a great moment for De Gea, who never truly got to say goodbye to the Theatre of Dreams, and he is expected to receive a brilliant reception from the United faithful.
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