Paul Pogba in talks with Marseille over Jan transfer

Former Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba is reportedly in advanced talks to join Marseille in January after seeing his four-year suspension reduced to 18 months.

The French midfielder is on the verge of becoming a free agent after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract with Juventus.

According to Daily Express, Pogba has been in discussion with the Ligue 1 side for several weeks now. A deal appears imminent as Pogba awaits the green light to resume training early in the New Year.

The paper writes: “Paul Pogba could be set for a reunion with his former Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood, with the French midfielder reportedly in advanced talks to join Marseille.

READ ALSO:

• Troops arrest terrorists, logistics supplier in Taraba
• UniCal suspends HOD for allegedly altering exam scores
• Three sentenced to death by hanging in Ekiti for armed robbery

“The 31-year-old had been suspended from all football activities for four years after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone but saw his provisional ban reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Juventus man is now allowed to return to the sport in March.

“However, Pogba’s time at the Serie A giants is thought to be over. He has missed the past 14 months due to the ban and various reports claim that it is unlikely he will continue his career with Juventus under new boss Thiago Motta.

“And Ivorian outlet NCI claims that Pogba is already in extensive talks with Marseille, with the expectation that he will agree to a contract termination with Juventus. He is available to train in January and is likely to sign for a new club during the winter transfer window.”Pogba’s career has been mired by scandal following the doping scandal that led to a four-year ban handed down in February.

The initial four-year suspension was reduced to just 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found that Pogba hadn’t intentionally ingested the banned substance DHEA.

Although Pogba won’t be eligible to compete until March 2025, he is expected to leave Juventus soon and could finalize his switch to Marseille in January.

Paul Pogba in talks with Marseille over Jan transfer

Cole Palmer voted England men’s player of the year

In an exciting announcement made via England’s official X page on Tuesday night, Cole Palmer has been awarded the title of England Men’s Player of the Year for 2024.

The award, sponsored by EE, highlights Palmer’s exceptional contributions to the national team throughout the past year.

The post celebrated his achievement, stating, “Cole Palmer is your England Men’s Player of the Year connected by @EE. Congratulations, Cole!”

After joining Chelsea at the beginning of last season from Manchester City, Palmer has had a breakthrough year, playing a pivotal role in both domestic and international competitions.

READ ALSO:

• Jonathan, wife not responsible for my success in politics  – Wike
• Man throws teenager inside well after raping her in Katsina
• Father accused of selling 11-month-old baby to fund gambling arrested

His impressive performances have solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in English football, drawing attention for his skill, creativity, and impact on the field.

Palmer’s recognition as Player of the Year not only reflects his individual talent but also underscores the potential of a new generation of players representing England on the international stage.

Fans and analysts alike are excited to see how he will continue to develop and contribute to the national team in the future.

Cole Palmer voted England men’s player of the year

Segun Odegbami seeks support for ailing ex-Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Fregene

Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, has solicited financial assistance for ailing ex-Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Fregene.

Fregene is a former goalkeeper of the Nigeria national football team, with a career spanning over two decades.

In a statement on Tuesday, Odegbami disclosed that Fregene is hospitalised in Sapele, Delta state, and urgently needs medical attention and financial assistance.

The 72-year-old former striker said his colleague is “waiting for help to be moved by ambulance” to the Ohara Teaching Hospital.

He said although “Tony Ojesina covered the ambulance costs, more funds need to be paid before he can be moved” to the teaching hospital.

Odegbami also lamented what he described as “the lack of a functional welfare scheme for retired athletes” in Nigeria.

The statement reads in full

I am frustrated because I am publishing this ‘horror’ picture (a picture of Fregene in a hospital bed), wishing I could do what needs to be done for a colleague without having to resort to yet another public appeal to the same few Nigerians that have, through the years, intervened in the matter of ill-health of a few retired, suffering Nigerian football heroes.

READ ALSO:

• CBN says Nigeria’s financial system remains stable, funds safe
• Israel shells Beirut, Hezbollah hits Haifa, ignoring peace talks
• Abure remains Labour Party chairman, court tells INEC

By now, we must have exhausted any remnant of ‘goodwill’ we have with Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Babatunde Fashola, Benson Ejindu, Allen Onyema, and a few other Nigerians who often came to the aid of a few lucky sports heroes several times in the past.

Even if they have not complained, we are ashamed to go back to them again.

Why don’t we have, or why can’t we set up, even on our own, a simple welfare scheme for active and retired athletes across all sports in the country, to take care of our declining health in old age, long after our sports careers?

Doing so does not require knowledge of rocket science. What is needed are the will, hard work and a few good and committed people of integrity.

The danger now is that the number of retired ageing sports heroes languishing in poverty, neglect and ill health is legion already, and growing. Their stories are ugly and shameful.

The government has demonstrated time and again that sport is not a priority. 64 years after Independence they cannot and will not see it differently, period.

So, Peter Fregene is a reminder to us all again. As I look at him lying comatose on a hospital bed in Sapele and experiencing the suffering he must be going through, my frustration is mounting.

It appears doing something for, and beyond, Peter is a responsibility that ‘fate and metaphysical aid’ seem to have put around my neck. So, we shall see, as our people would say when they do not know what’s coming next.

So, what is the situation with ‘Apo’ now? He is still waiting for help to come in order to be moved by ambulance to the Ohara Teaching Hospital, Ohara, Delta State. He has been waiting since yesterday.

I hope Globacom that have been taking care of his every need in the past year would respond once again and come to his aid.

A friend sitting next to me yesterday as I discussed Peter with his wife on the telephone last night, Tony Ojesina, immediately paid for the cost of the ambulance that would convey him there. But he still has other bills to pay before he can be moved.

Fregene was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Nigeria national football team from 1968 to 1971. He was then recalled for the 1982 African Cup of Nations finals. He also represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Segun Odegbami seeks support for ailing ex-Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Fregene