Paul Pogba is set to leave Monaco after the Ligue 1 club decided to terminate his contract, with a recent thigh injury accelerating a departure that had reportedly been under consideration for weeks, according to Goal. The former World Cup winner joined the club last summer after being cleared to resume his career following a doping suspension, and his exit talks are expected to conclude soon.
Pogba signed a two-year deal when he arrived at Monaco in June 2025, though reports differ on its exact length: while it was understood to run through the end of the coming season, Sky Sports reported the agreement was originally set to last until June 2027. A club source said discussions over an early exit are ongoing, though Monaco have not publicly commented on the matter.
French outlet Le Figaro reports that Monaco informed Pogba several weeks ago of their intention to end the contract early and advised him to seek a new club. Multiple outlets, including Yahoo Sports, add that Monaco are seeking a financial settlement to cover his remaining wages rather than simply releasing him outright.
Why is Pogba leaving Monaco?
Pogba's time at the club has been hampered by fitness problems and a managerial change that has reshaped the midfield picture. His debut season was disrupted by injury, and hopes that this campaign would bring regular playing time have been undermined by Filipe Luis replacing Sebastien Pocognoli as manager, a shift that appears to be steering Monaco toward different options in central midfield.
According to Yahoo Sports, Pogba has made just six appearances for Monaco, amounting to only 115–119 minutes of playing time in total. Goal also reports that his wages at the club stood below £44,000 per week. Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro had already hinted at the possibility of a departure back in July, saying:
Maybe he'll leave, yes, maybe he'll stay here, yes.
What led to his return to football?
Pogba was provisionally banned for four years after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) following a doping test in August 2023, with the suspension confirmed in February 2024. He maintained the positive test resulted from an unwitting mistake, saying he had taken a supplement without realising it contained a prohibited substance.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced his ban to 18 months, clearing the 2018 World Cup winner to return to professional football in March 2025. He signed for Monaco as a free agent that June after departing Juventus by mutual agreement, a status that would again apply if his Monaco contract is terminated early.
Some reports, including one from Yahoo, suggest Monaco's willingness to part ways predates the latest injury and reflects broader concerns over his fitness and the club's wage bill. A separate French report from Foot en France speculates that an opt-out clause tied to Champions League qualification may exist, though this detail is presented as unconfirmed.
Elsewhere in European football, contract situations involving senior players have also drawn attention this year. Manchester City assistant manager Pep Lijnders recently discussed captain Bernardo Silva's future at the club, noting the midfielder's 450 appearances since 2017 amid interest from other top clubs.
What happens next?
Pogba was reportedly scheduled for an MRI scan to determine the severity of his latest thigh injury, according to Goal. Monaco and Pogba are expected to negotiate a financial settlement covering the remainder of his contract before any termination is formally completed, with French and English reports suggesting a resolution could come within days. Should the deal be terminated, Pogba has been linked with a potential move to Major League Soccer clubs in the United States.
Key Facts
- Pogba joined Monaco on a free transfer in June 2025 after his doping ban was reduced.
- He has made six appearances for the club, totalling around 115-119 minutes of play.
- Monaco's managerial change from Sebastien Pocognoli to Filipe Luis has reshaped midfield plans.
- Monaco are seeking a financial settlement rather than a straightforward release.
- An MRI scan was scheduled to assess his latest thigh injury.
