‘Expectations & squad balance’ – Pablo Longoria explains why Marseille didn’t sign Paul Pogba last winter | OneFootball

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria once again admitted that the club could have signed France 2018 World Cup winner Paul Pogba (31) as a free agent during the winter transfer window. He gave a little more insight on why the move didn’t happen. “We had conversations and we had this opportunity because the player had come onto the market,” began Longoria on Pogba. “However we decided not to do it this season because we thought that his recovery time could upset the balance of the squad. And that would raise expectations. We felt that it would be counterproductive.”Pogba has been free to sign for a new club after his four-year doping ban was reduced to just 18 months at the end of 2024. This has meant the former Juventus man has been allowed to train since the end of 2024, but he wouldn’t be able have played with Marseille if he signed after the closure of the winter transfer window due to French regulations on registering players. RMC Sport report however that Pogba is highly regarded at OM, with competition coming from the United States and the MLS on a short-term deal for the former France international. GFFN | George Boxall