Roberto De Zerbi explains why Marseille did not sign Paul Pogba | OneFootball

Paul Pogba (31) remains a free agent, despite some considerable interest from Olympique de Marseille. Roberto De Zerbi has now explained why a deal did not take form in the winter transfer window.

The Frenchman’s four-year doping ban was reduced to just 18 months upon appeal at the end of 2024. It means that he has been allowed to train since the start of January, whilst he is also free to resume playing from the start of March. However, if he is to return to playing in March, he will not do so with Marseille. As per regulations in France, it is not possible to register players between the closure of the winter window and the end of the season.

Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia told L’Équipe that he would be open to bringing Pogba to the club in the summer. De Zerbi has now explained why a move did not happen in the winter window, denying the suggestion that it had anything to do with balance in the dressing room.

“No one could change the balance in the dressing room – no one will destabilise it as long as I am the manager. That was not the problem. 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. 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,” said the Marseille manager.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle