Paul Pogba offered return home to France with Ligue 1 side tabling two-year contract in bid to hand ex-Man Utd midfielder second chance after doping ban

Fabrizio Romano reports that negotiations between Monaco and Pogba will continue over the weekend. That report has been corroborated by Gianluca Di Marzio, who says talks between the two parties are progressing following an initial approach by the club two weeks ago.

Pogba last played a professional game on the 3rd September 2023, a 2-0 victory for Juventus over Empoli. He was subsequently banned, initially for four years reduced to 18 months, for a positive drug test following Juventus' opening game of the 2023-24 season.

If the move goes ahead, it will be the fist time Pogba has turned out for a club in his homeland. The 32-year-old had been linked with a move to Marseille in March after his return to the training pitch, but Les Olympiens walked away because of the player's salary demands.

A return to professional football in any guise is a massive win for Pogba, but a first shot at playing in his native league adds another layer of feel good factor to his redemption arc. Always a lightning rod for opinion and debate, Pogba's return to elite sport will be box office, wherever he ends up.