Despite strong interest from Olympique de Marseille, Paul Pogba (31) remains a free agent. Many speculated that the French club would bring him in during the winter transfer window, but Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has now explained why the deal never materialized.
Pogba’s Reduced Doping Ban and Return Timeline
Pogba’s initial four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal at the end of 2024. This allowed him to resume training in January, with the possibility of returning to competitive action in March. However, his comeback will not be with Marseille, at least for now.
Why Marseille Couldn’t Sign Pogba in January
One of the main reasons Pogba didn’t join Marseille was France’s player registration rules. After the winter transfer window closed, French clubs were no longer allowed to register new players until the summer. This meant that even if Marseille wanted him, they couldn’t officially sign him until the next window.
De Zerbi Denies Dressing Room Concerns
There were rumors that Marseille’s hesitation to sign Pogba was due to concerns about dressing room harmony. However, De Zerbi dismissed these claims, making it clear that Pogba’s presence would not disrupt the squad.
“No one could change the balance in the dressing room – no one will destabilize it as long as I am the manager. That was not the problem,” De Zerbi stated.
He went on to explain that the club’s decision was based on a tactical evaluation, as they needed to determine how and where Pogba would fit into the squad once he was eligible to play.
“Pogba is a really great player, but you have to understand where we could use him once he was available to play, in what role and in what position. The more champions we have, the happier I will be.”
A Summer Move Still Possible?
While Marseille couldn’t sign Pogba in January, sporting director Medhi Benatia has expressed interest in signing him during the summer. De Zerbi also hinted that the situation could change, leaving the door open for Pogba to join Marseille once the transfer window reopens.
“It was not that. It was a general evaluation and perhaps it will change, but for now, the decision (not to sign Pogba in January) was taken for numerous reasons,” De Zerbi concluded.
With Pogba set to return to competitive football in March, it remains to be seen where he will play next. A summer move to Marseille is still a possibility, but for now, the former Juventus and Manchester United star remains without a club.
