Paul Pogba tipped to return to Premier League with Arsenal and Mikel Arteta who will ‘bring his quality to the fore’

Paul Pogba is close to a return 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 football for four years in February after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels in his system in September 2023.

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That long suspension is now a thing of the past reduced to 18 months on appeal and Pogba could play again in early 2025.

Still contractually agreed 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 joined the club. Manchester United for £89.3 million in 2016.

That should give Pogba the freedom to move where he wants, and while ties with MLS and the Saudi Pro League remain, a return to the top flight cannot be ruled out.

Someone who knows the Premier League better than most, member of the 100-goal club Darren Bentcould see the Frenchman arriving at the club he supports, Arsenal.

Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, he said: “I think this would have humiliated (Pogba) a bit. He has spent some time off the field, not doing so well before because he had injuries before the suspension.

“He still has the quality there, he just hasn’t shown it. Arteta has been good at assessing character and bringing character into the dressing room.

“He will get to work with Pogba and be able to tell what kind of character there is and how much hunger is left. If Pogba is looking for a final payday, Arteta can figure that out and say no.”

He added: “If you can integrate Paul Pogba and bring him off the bench with the qualities he has, wow.”

Pogba initially made his professional debut with United in 2011, but later returned from 2016 to 2022, where he was largely considered a failure.

But Bent believes Raheem Sterling’s loan spell at Arsenal has shown the Gunners can help rehabilitate out-of-form players.

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Ex-England striker Sterling struggled to make an impression at Chelsea last season, but is making a comeback under Arteta. Bent believes Pogba could follow the same path.

“(Pogba) going through something like that must obviously be tough,” he said. “I know how hard it can be because I know people who have been through that.

“He knows he’s not in that place of power where he was where he could command and do whatever he wants. He now knows that if he goes to a top club, he will be a bit of a rotation player.

“A bit like Raheem Sterling had to do at Arsenal: he comes to Arsenal, he doesn’t get many minutes but he still looks like he gives his best when he gets the chance.

“He didn’t cause any disruption in the dressing room. I would take Paul Pogba to 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 to suggest a move to Arsenal either, along with the former Gunner Bacary Sagna making the field for his old teammate.

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“It would be great. He has experience; he likes to play with young players around him. That’s when he is most efficient,” said Sagna.

“During the 2018 World Cup he was the 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 all over again. He hasn’t played football for a while and will come back with the desire to get back to a good place and start playing football again.”

Pogba last appeared in a Serie A match in September 2023.