Paul Pogba aims to return to the Premier League with Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, who will “bring out his quality”
Paul Pogba is close to returning to football and if Darren Bent has his way, he could return to the Premier League.
The World Cup-winning French midfielder was banned from soccer for four years in February after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system in September 2023.
Since then, that long suspension has been reduced to 18 months on appeal, and Pogba could play again in early 2025.
Still hired for JuventusThe club have reportedly made it clear that they are willing to cut ties with the 31-year-old, who was previously the most expensive player in the world when he arrived. manchester united for £89.3 million in 2016.
That should free up Pogba to move wherever he wants, and while links to MLS and the Saudi Pro League remain, a return to the top flight is not out of the question.
Someone who knows the Premier League better than anyone, member of the 100 goal club Darren BentHe could see the Frenchman arrive at the club he supports, Arsenal.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “I think this would have humiliated (Pogba) a little bit. “He's spent some time off the pitch, he really wasn't going that well before because he had injuries before the ban.
“He still has quality, but he hasn't shown it. Arteta has been good in terms of judging characters and bringing characters into the dressing room.
“He will sit with Pogba and be able to say what kind of character there is and also how much hunger remains. “If Pogba is looking for one last payday, Arteta will be able to see through and say no.”
And he added: “If you can integrate Paul Pogba, taking him off the bench with the qualities he has, wow.”
Pogba initially made his professional debut for United in 2011, then returned from 2016 to 2022, where he was largely considered a flop.
But Bent believes Raheem Sterling's loan spell with Arsenal has shown the Gunners can help rehabilitate players who are out of form.
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Former England striker Sterling struggled to impress last season for Chelsea but has returned to getting minutes under Arteta, and Bent believes Pogba could follow the same path.
“(Pogba) going through something like that must be difficult, obviously,” he said. “I know how difficult it can be because I know people who have been through it.”
“He knows that he is not in that place of strength where he was, where he could command and do whatever he wanted. Now he knows that if he is going to go to a big club, he will be a rotational roster player.
“A bit like Raheem Sterling had to do at Arsenal, he came to Arsenal, he doesn't get a lot of minutes, but he still seems to try hard when he gets the chance.
“It hasn't caused any disruption in the locker room. I would choose Paul Pogba at Arsenal.”
On Sterling, he added: “Even last night (in the 3-0 League Cup win) against Preston, Sterling was walking past people, still trying to make things happen, desperate to score.”
Bent was also not the first person to suggest an Arsenal move, with the former Gunner Bacary Sagna making the pitch for his old teammate.
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“It would be fantastic. He has experience; he loves playing with young players around him; that's when he is most efficient,” Sagna said.
“In the 2018 World Cup was when he was most efficient: he had friends around him.
“Arsenal have a young and fresh team, and I see them performing in the Arsenal shirt. They will receive the love of their fans.
“Now he can start from scratch again. He has spent some time away from football and will return wanting to get back to a good space and play football again.”
Pogba last appeared in a Serie A match in September 2023.
