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Inside Paul Pogba's 18-months away from football and potential Man Utd return

Paul Pogba is closing in on a return to football after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months but its been a rollercoaster year-and-a-half

[Paul Pogba]

Paul Pogba is set to make his football comeback(Image: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is closing in on a return to football following his 18-month ban.

The French World Cup winner, 32, is in advanced talks with Monaco as he looks to reignite his career in his homeland. Its reported that discussions are underway regarding a two-year contract with talks ongoing for a number of weeks.

Pogba was initially slapped with a four-year ban after failing a doping test. However, it was slashed to 18 months following an appeal in October.

Since leaving Juventus by mutual agreement in November, having played his last professional game in August 2023, Pogba has used his Instagram profile to document himself keeping fit by posting numerous videos on the training pitch and looking as fit as ever.

Pogba was also spotted training alongside United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro, sparking speculation he was set to return to the club. However, those rumours failed to pick up pace that he could return to Old Trafford for a third time.

[Pogba poses with Manchester United stars Leny Yoro (left) and Kobbie Mainoo (right) ]

Pogba trained with Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo(Image: paulpogba/Instagram)

The Frenchman also shared further snaps of him training with former United team-mates Marcos Rojo, Edinson Cavani, Sergio Romero and Ander Herrera in the United States, with the quartet all playing for Argentine side Boca Juniors in the Club World Cup.

During his ban, Pogba has found time to train with a bizarre array of partners, including Brazilian football social media personality Iran Ferreira and Donald Trumps businessman son-in-law Michael Boulos, as well as collaborating with IShowSpeed.

He also dipped into the world of cinema, playing the role of a youth team coach in the French film Four Zeroes, and he was recently seen at the Cannes Film Festival alongside his wife Zulay on the red carpet.

[Paul Pogba and Zulay Pogba attend the "Highest 2 Lowest" red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals ]

The Frenchman appeared at the Cannes Film Festival with his wife Zulay(Image: Getty Images)

But Pogba still hit the headlines during his ban when his brother, Mathias, was sentenced to a three year jail term, with two years suspended, after being convicted of attempting to extort the French footballer.

Pogba said he had been "tricked by childhood friends" and even admitted he considered retirement. "When there is money you have to be careful," he said. "Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war".

But now, Pogba appears to be on the verge of kickstarting his career again after a two-year absence. The midfielder was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ittihad reportedly trying to hijack the deal.

But it seems Ligue 1 will finally see Pogba grace the field after he left Le Harve as a teenager to join United.

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