Marseille, France — During the recent winter transfer window, there was considerable discussion about the possibility of Paul Pogba rejuvenating his career at Marseille. Club president Pablo Longoria expressed admiration for the former Juventus and Manchester United standout, labeling him as an extraordinary talent. Additionally, teammates such as Adrien Rabiot have endorsed Pogba’s potential arrival.
However, Marseille ultimately opted to recruit different players. Despite once being regarded as one of the premier midfielders globally, Pogba’s recent headlines have been dominated by controversies off the field rather than his performances in matches. Last year, Juventus and Pogba reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, even as the 2018 World Cup champion faced a previously imposed doping ban that had been reduced. After successfully appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, his suspension was cut from four years to 18 months.
Pogba will be eligible to return to professional football in March. When asked by RMC radio why Marseille did not pursue a deal for Pogba, Longoria cited the midfielder’s suspension as a significant factor in their decision. “When I speak about Paul, I have a great appreciation for him. My time working with him at Juventus left me with immense respect,” he noted. “Given the circumstances with his sporting ban extending to March, it is essential to optimize the way we conclude the season using our immediate resources.”
As for whether Pogba would have fit into the team, Marseille has been competing closely with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 this season. Currently, they sit in second place, trailing PSG by ten points after 20 matches but holding a three-point advantage over Monaco. The club, famed for being the only French team to lift the Champions League trophy 32 years ago, aspires to qualify for Europe’s elite tournament in the next season.
“What would be the benefit of acquiring a player with his level of international experience and skills?” Longoria questioned. “However, we must also weigh this against the overall balance of the team and the sporting momentum we are building. I felt that making excessive changes could disrupt the positive atmosphere. It’s crucial to maintain continuity within a successful sporting dynamic while also safeguarding our economic interests.”
In the final moments of the transfer window, Marseille secured two new players: Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who joined on loan from AC Milan with an option for a permanent deal, and Amar Dedic, a defender from Salzburg who also signed on loan. Earlier in the window, Marseille had reinforced their squad by bringing in center back Luiz Felipe and winger Amine Gouiri.
