Paul Pogba is reportedly on the brink of a sensational return to football, having reportedly struck a two-year agreement with Monaco. The ex-Manchester United midfielder has been out of action for nearly two years following a positive test for the prohibited substance DHEA.

Initially slapped with a four-year suspension, Pogba's ban was cut down to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He hit free agency in November when Juventus terminated his contract ahead of schedule.

Eligible to lace up his boots again since March, Pogba has been without a club despite rumours linking him to teams in France, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. French media giant Le Parisien has now revealed that Pogba is set to sign a deal with Monaco.

The publication suggests the 32-year-old has accepted a two-year contract as of Sunday, taking a considerable pay cut in the process. Monaco had previously eyed Pogba in January, but financial constraints put the brakes on any potential move. Teasing fans with a comeback, Pogba shared training snaps on social media, captioned: "I think it's time."

Having once feared his career was finished due to the doping ban, Pogba is now determined to regain top form and reclaim his spot in the French national team, setting his sights on the 2026 World Cup.

In a revealing interview with ESPN, the footballer shared his previous career doubts: "Yeah, I had many thoughts in my head, I had so many thoughts to even stop playing. I'm like: 'What am I going to do?' If it's four years, you start making the maths in your head.

"Four years not playing, training - which club is going to want me? Would I be fit and stuff like that, you make a lot of pictures in your head. But on the other side, I had faith obviously, and I was positive.

"I knew I didn't do anything wrong on purpose, so then thankfully that happened and they reduce it. It's so good to have somebody that is your manager [France boss Didier Deschamps] and you can have a good relationship also outside football.

"And this is really rare and that's why I'm very grateful and appreciate the relation that I have with him. We need to respect these players [in the France team], also that they're here and you have to respect that.

"And the way I respect that is, for me, training hard to deserve my place because they deserve to be in the position and to play for the national team.

"And there is good players in this position also. It's always good to hear good positive things, 'We want you' and stuff like that. But you have to respect they're doing well."