Adrien Rabiot wants Paul Pogba to join him at Marseille when the former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder is allowed to sign for a new club during the January transfer window.
Pogba, who won the 2018 World Cup with France, will be eligible to play again from March 11 following a doping ban – and Rabiot knows the 31-year-old's qualities better than most having made 27 appearances alongside him for France and Juventus between the two sides. 2016 and 2023.
“I know it's a real topic,” 2022 World Cup winner Rabiot told DAZN after Marseille's 2-0 win over Saint-Etienne in the French League on Sunday. RMC.
“Of course I would like to play with Paul. We had the opportunity to get closer at Juventus, where we did not have the opportunity to play together much because he had a lot of problems.
“I was a little disappointed. We strongly invite him to come and play at Olympique de Marseille. What we are putting in place is really very important.”
– Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) October 4, 2024
Paul Pogba Next club: Marseille?
Pogba, a Manchester United academy graduate, has not played football at club level in France since his youth days with Roissy-en-Brie, Tourcy and Le Havre, from which he joined the Red Devils in 2009.
After joining Juventus in 2012, United made Pogba's signing a record signing when they bought him from the Italian club for £89m in 2016, and he returned to the Serie A side after his contract at Old Trafford expired in 2022.
He was suspended for four years last February due to a doping violation, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the punishment to 18 months, starting from his initial temporary suspension in September 2023, in a decision issued on October 4.
Pogba said in his speech before he agreed with Juventus to terminate his contract on November 30 team That the link with Marseille – made by Patrice Evra, one of his former United and France teammates – was “not credible” because he was already under contract.
“Of course, no one knows what tomorrow holds, so never say never,” he added, expressing his relief at allowing a return to football.
Adrien Rabiot's first goal for Marseille was a good goal 💥 pic.twitter.com/uEHCXrbbB0
— English Premier League (@Ligue1_ENG) December 8, 2024
Rabiot: Marseille has “real ambition”
Intensity could be an issue for Pogba after more than 18 months between his last competitive match and his potential return, although… BBC Sport He reported that he could train with a club from January.
Second in France, Marseille have made a flying start under new coach Roberto De Zerbi and are five points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain after their third successive win.
“There is a real dynamic (here) – it is very professional, from the players to the coach and the management,” Rabiot said of playing for the nine-time French champions. “There is real ambition. If he wants to come, it would be my pleasure.”
