Paul Pogba urged to seal 'dream' transfer after Man City transfer claims

Former West Ham United and France midfielder Dimitri Payet has urged Paul Pogba to join Marseille as he comes to the end of his 18-month doping ban.

The former Manchester United midfielder mutually agreed to terminate his contract at Juventus last month, having not featured for the Italian giants since he was slapped with a four-year ban earlier this year.

But after the 31-year-old successfully appealed his punishment to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, he'll be allowed to return to competitive action in March 2025.

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And that has triggered Pogba's former international team-mate to try and lure the midfielder to Marseille, where several ex-Premier League players are currently plying their trade under former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Speaking to BeIN Sport over the weekend, Payet - who spent two memorable years with the Hammers - said: "Like all Marseille supporters, of course, it's a dream [for Pogba to join the club].

"After that, whether it's true or not, I can't tell you more. I've rubbed shoulders with him in the national team, he's rubbed shoulders with other former Marseille players, he knows where he's going. He's already played here, a club like Marseille can only be beneficial for him."

Last week, it was reported by the Independent that Manchester City had "sounded out" a potential Pogba in the New Year, though it was claimed the Frenchman would be "reluctant" to move to the Etihad due to his ties with Man United.

Pogba made over 200 appearances for United after joining from Juventus for £89m and won the Europa League and League Cup before departing when his contract