Paul Pogba says he is talking to a club about comeback after ban

PARIS – Former France midfielder Paul Pogba, who wants to resume his career after a doping ban, said on French television on June 22 he is “talking” with a club, which sources close to him said was Monaco.

The 32-year-old also said he had re-established contact with his brother Mathias, sentenced to a year in prison last December for his involvement in a plot to extort €13 million (S$19.3 million) from the 2018 World Cup winner.

Pogba, who played for Manchester United and Juventus, is hoping to put three chaotic years behind him.

Pogba suffered through repeated injuries and patchy form that led to his departure from United in 2022. He returned for a second stint at Juventus, where his problems continued.

He failed a drugs test after a game in Italy in August 2023 and was handed a four-year doping ban, which was reduced 18 months on appeal. It ended in March.

“It was very, very hard,” he said.

He said he was “talking” to a club, which multiple sources said was Ligue 1 giants Monaco.

Pogba said he was determined “to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time”.

The extortion case involving six men linked to Pogba shocked France because the perpetrators included three childhood friends and his own brother.

The five other defendants were found guilty of extortion, kidnapping and detention, as well as participation in a criminal association and sentenced to up to eight years in prison. All six were also fined.

Pogba said he was talking to Mathias, who is being allowed to serve his sentence wearing an electronic bracelet, rather than behind bars.

“We are in contact. We’ve spoken, among ourselves, with the family,” Paul Pogba said. “It’s a blood bond. There was a scar,