Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco, with discussions underway regarding a potential contract termination. The midfielder, a World Cup winner with France in 2018, joined the Ligue 1 side last summer on a two-year deal, which was set to conclude at the end of the upcoming season.
Sources indicate that talks for an early departure are in progress and are anticipated to be finalised soon. Monaco has not yet issued a statement on the situation.
Contract Termination Discussions
The discussions between Pogba and Monaco aim to mutually terminate his two-year contract after just 12 months. This development follows a period where the club had hoped to help the 33-year-old midfielder regain his previous fitness levels, but they reportedly feel this has not been achieved.
Pogba made only six appearances for Monaco during his time with the club. His debut for Monaco in November 2025 marked his first appearance in 26 months, following a ban for breaching anti-doping regulations.
The talks concerning the mutual termination of his contract have been ongoing for several weeks, predating a recent injury setback.
Injury Setback and Managerial Change
The midfielder recently sustained a hamstring injury during a training session at St. George’s Park, where Monaco was based for their pre-season tour of England. This injury occurred during a passing drill, leading to concerns that he could be sidelined for several months.
The timing of this injury is particularly challenging for Monaco as they prepare for the new campaign. The club’s hierarchy had previously stated that pre-season assessments would be crucial in determining Pogba’s long-term future.
Monaco’s coaching staff, now led by Filipe Luís who replaced Sebastien Pocognoli, will need to plan for upcoming competitive fixtures without one of their high-profile names while he undergoes rehabilitation.
Pogba’s first season at Monaco was affected by injuries, though there was initial optimism that he would feature regularly this season. However, the change in management could also lead Monaco to explore different options in central midfield.
Background to Monaco Move
Pogba joined Monaco on a free transfer last summer, having been a free agent since his departure from Juventus in November 2024. His return to professional football was permitted after a doping suspension.
He had been provisionally banned from football for four years in February 2024, following a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in August 2023. Pogba maintained that the positive test was due to a supplement he took unknowingly containing a banned substance.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced his ban to 18 months on appeal. This reduction allowed him to return to training in January and resume his playing career in March 2025.
Before his move to Monaco, Pogba began his youth career at Le Havre before joining Manchester United as a teenager. He has made 91 appearances for France, though his last appearance for the national team was in 2022. He also secured four Serie A titles with Juventus, playing 190 times for the Turin club.
The immediate focus for Monaco is managing their squad’s midfield depth while awaiting the results of medical scans to determine the severity of Pogba’s latest injury.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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