Paul Pogba is close to a return to football, and if Darren Bent has his way, he could be back in the Premier League.
The World Cup-winning France midfielder was banned from football for four years in February after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in his system back in September 2023.
That lengthy suspension has since been reduced to 18 months on appeal, and Pogba could be back playing in early 2025.
Still contracted to Juventus, the club have reportedly made it clear that they’re ready to cut ties with the 31-year-old who was formerly the most expensive player in the world when he joined Manchester United for £89.3million in 2016.
That should free up Pogba to move where he pleases, and while links to the MLS and the Saudi Pro League persist, a return to the top flight isn’t out of the question.
Someone who knows the Premier League better than most, member of the 100-goal club Darren Bent, could see the Frenchman arriving at the club he supports, Arsenal.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “I think this would have humbled [Pogba] a little bit. He’s spent some time off the pitch, it wasn’t really going that well before as he had injuries before the ban.
“He’s still got the quality there, he just hasn’t shown it. Arteta has been good in terms of judging characters and bringing characters into the dress room.
“He’ll sit down Pogba and be able to tell what kind of character is there and also how much hunger is left. If Pogba’s looking for a last pay day, Arteta will be able to suss that out and say no.”
He added: “If you can integrate Paul Pogba, bringing him off the bench with the qualities he’s got, wow.”
Pogba initially made his professional debut with United in 2011, later returning from 2016 to 2022 where he was largely deemed a failure.
But Bent thinks that Raheem Sterling’s loan spell with Arsenal has shown the Gunners can help rehabilitate out of form players.
Ex-England forward Sterling struggled to impress last season with Chelsea but is back getting minutes under Arteta – and Bent believes Pogba could follow that same path.
“[Pogba] going through something like that must be tough obviously,” he said. “I know how tough it can be because I know people that have been through that.
“He knows he’s not in that place of strength where he was where he could command, and do what he wants. He knows now if he’s going to go to a top club, he’s going to be a bit of a rotation, squad player.
“A little bit like Raheem Sterling has had to do at Arsenal, he’s come to Arsenal, he’s not getting loads of minutes but he still looks like he’s putting in the effort when he gets the opportunity.
“He hasn’t caused any disruption in the dressing room. I would take Paul Pogba at Arsenal.”
On Sterling, he added: “Even last night [in the 3-0 League Cup win] against Preston, Sterling was going past people, still trying to make things happen, desperate to score.”
Bent wasn’t the first person to suggest an Arsenal move either, with former Gunner Bacary Sagna making the pitch for his old teammate.
“It would be great – he has experience; he loves to play with young players around him – that is when he is most efficient,” Sagna said.
“At the 2018 World Cup, that was when he was most efficient – he had friends around him.
“Arsenal have a young, fresh team, and I see him performing in an Arsenal shirt. He will get love from their fans.
“Now, he can start from scratch again. He’s had time away from football, and he’ll be back with a desire to get back into a good space and play football again.”
Pogba last made an appearance in a Serie A game on September 2023.