Paul Pogba officially in talks to end his two-year exile from football and secure big-money move

Paul Pogba is reportedly in talks to make a return to football after a two-year exile.

Back in 2023, French midfielder Pogba was banned from football after dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was found in his system, a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body, including testosterone.

Originally, Pogba was handed a four-year ban but after an appeal, the suspension was reduced to just 18 months.

In March this year, the ban officially came to a close, meaning the 32-year-old could make a return to football.

After his contract at Juventus was terminated, Pogba has been a free agent ever since.

Although he has been linked with clubs in Europe, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, nothing has materialised.

On Monday evening, it was claimed that Major League Soccer side DC United are interested in signing the Frenchman.

As reported by The Athletic, DC United 'owns the discovery rights to free agent midfielder Paul Pogba'.

The report stated: "D.C. United owns the discovery rights to free agent midfielder Paul Pogba, a team source with knowledge of the arrangement has confirmed to The Athletic.

"The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that the club is in talks over a potential deal for the 32-year-old, who has been seen at several Major League Soccer games since last playing a professional game for Juventus shortly before he was suspended in September 2023."

The report went on to state that DC United did not respond when approached for comment by The Athletic.

SPORTbible has contacted DC United for comment.

Paul Pogba has been linked with a return to football. Image: Getty

According to Sports Illustrated, a Discovery List allows a club in the MLS to 'obtain the rights to a player should he want to join the league'.

It has been said that clubs have to add players to their list before confirming with league office to make sure they are not on another club's list.

The idea behind discovery rights is so that the biggest-spending clubs in the MLS can't simply out bid everyone else.

In addition to Pogba, it has been claimed that DC United are also interested in Kevin De Bruyne, who will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.

However, Inter Miami currently own the discovery rights for the Belgian midfielder.