Paul Pogba is expected to leave Monaco, with discussions ongoing regarding a potential termination of his contract. The midfielder joined the Ligue 1 side last summer and signed a two-year deal, which was set to continue until the end of the upcoming season. However, reports indicate that talks for an early exit are underway and are anticipated to conclude soon.
The former World Cup winner’s first season with Monaco was affected by injury. Despite hopes that he would feature more regularly this season, a change in management, with Filipe Luis replacing Sebastien Pocognoli, could lead Monaco to explore different options in central midfield.
Contract Discussions and Injury Concerns
Monaco and Pogba are reportedly in talks to terminate their contract by mutual agreement. This comes after Pogba made only six appearances for the club. The discussions between the player and the club aim to end the two-year agreement after just 12 months.
Monaco had hoped to help the 33-year-old midfielder regain his previous fitness levels but reportedly feel they have not been able to achieve this. Pogba recently sustained a hamstring injury during the club’s pre-season tour of England at St. George’s Park. This injury has raised concerns that he could be sidelined for several months, though discussions about his contract termination had been ongoing for several weeks prior to this latest setback.
The timing of this new injury is particularly challenging for the Ligue 1 club as they finalize preparations for the new campaign. Monaco’s management had previously stated that pre-season assessments would be crucial in determining Pogba’s long-term future at the club. With his physical condition remaining a persistent concern, the club is awaiting the results of medical scans to assess the severity of the issue. Both Pogba and the coaching staff face an anxious wait to determine how long he might be out of action.
Return to Football After Suspension
Pogba’s move to Monaco followed his return to professional football after a doping suspension. He was 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 mistake, stating he was given a supplement without his knowledge that it contained a banned substance.
The ban was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision. This reduction allowed him to return to training in January and resume his playing career in March 2025. Pogba’s debut for Monaco in November 2025 marked his first appearance since September 2023, a period of 26 months.
The France international, a 2018 World Cup winner, joined Monaco on a free transfer last summer after being a free agent since leaving Juventus in November 2024. He began his youth career at Le Havre before joining Manchester United as a teenager. Pogba has made 91 appearances for France, though he has not played for the national team since 2022. He is also a four-time Serie A winner with Juventus, for whom he played 190 times.
Head coach Filipe Luís had recently expressed optimism about reintegrating the experienced midfielder into the squad. At 33 years old, Pogba is once again facing a significant challenge to regain full match fitness and consistency. The immediate focus for Monaco now shifts to managing the squad’s depth in midfield as they plan without one of their high-profile names while he undergoes rehabilitation.
Uncertainty for Monaco’s Midfield
The ongoing discussions about Pogba’s contract termination and his recent injury create uncertainty for Monaco’s midfield ahead of the new season. The club’s hierarchy had previously indicated that pre-season assessments would be crucial in determining the player’s long-term future, and his persistent physical concerns are now a key factor in these deliberations.
Monaco has not yet commented publicly on the situation. The outcome of the contract termination talks and the severity of Pogba’s latest injury will significantly impact the team’s plans for the upcoming campaign. The club and player are awaiting medical scan results to determine the extent of the issue.
The central midfielder’s journey back to consistent play has been marked by various challenges since his return to the sport in March 2025.
Source: bbc.com
