Paul Pogba is expected to leave AS Monaco after the French club entered discussions over an early termination of his contract following a fresh muscle injury in pre‑season, multiple outlets report.
- BBC reports Monaco and Paul Pogba are negotiating an early contract termination after a fresh pre‑season muscle injury.
- Pogba joined Monaco in June 2025 on a two‑year deal but played only six times in 2025–26; his comeback followed an 18‑month ban that ended in March 2025.
- Reports say Monaco had already decided to end the deal and that Pogba has attracted MLS interest, but no official Monaco or player confirmation of termination or a new club has been published in the supplied sources.
What has happened
The BBC reported that talks are under way and “are expected to be concluded soon” over an early exit for Pogba, who joined Monaco in June 2025 on a two‑year deal that was due to run until the end of the 2026–27 season. Several other publications in France and internationally have since relayed the same development.
Reports say Pogba suffered a new thigh/hamstring problem during Monaco’s pre‑season training camp in England. According to coverage citing L’Equipe and other French titles, the injury during a small‑sided training exercise prompted the club to press ahead with plans to end his contract. The BBC added that a hamstring injury could delay any expected move to Major League Soccer (MLS), where he has previously been linked to Inter Miami and DC United.
Why this matters for Monaco and Pogba
For Monaco, the issue is a sporting assessment of a high‑profile signing whose first season in the Principality was disrupted by injury. The club changed head coach in the close season — Filipe Luis replaced Sebastien Pocognoli — and outlets report Monaco may be moving in a different direction in central midfield.
For Pogba, the situation follows a turbulent three years that included a provisional four‑year ban for testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in February 2024, later reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to an 18‑month suspension that ended in March 2025. He resumed his career with Monaco but managed only six appearances in Ligue 1 last season, playing a reported total of 115 minutes.
Confirmed facts vs reports
- Confirmed by BBC: negotiations about an early termination of Pogba’s Monaco contract are taking place and are expected to finish soon (BBC report cited in sources).
- reported by French and international outlets: Pogba sustained a fresh thigh/hamstring injury in pre‑season training in England, which prompted Monaco to decide to end his deal (reports cited by Yahoo, L’Equipe and others).
- Reported interest: BBC says Pogba is attracting interest from MLS clubs; other outlets have named Inter Miami and DC United as previously linked, but there is no official transfer or signing confirmed in the supplied sources.
- Monaco has not issued a public statement in the supplied sources confirming a contract termination or the precise medical details; the BBC noted Monaco had not commented at the time of its report.
Context and background
Pogba began his senior career at Manchester United, rose to prominence at Juventus, returned to United in 2016 and later rejoined Juventus before his contract ended. The doping suspension, appeal and shortened ban are documented in the supplied reporting: he was provisionally banned in early 2024 and returned to professional football in March 2025 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his sanction.
Monaco signed the 33‑year‑old on a free transfer in June 2025. Coverage in the supplied evidence notes that his 2025–26 campaign was affected by injury and limited minutes, and that Monaco had assessed the project as not meeting expectations.
What happens next
- According to the BBC, discussions between Pogba and Monaco over an early termination are ongoing and expected to conclude soon; the exact timeline and terms were not provided in the reporting.
- Medical follow‑up: outlets report Pogba was due to have an MRI to determine the extent of the thigh injury; the result and any formal medical statement are not included in the supplied sources.
- Potential destinations: the BBC said Pogba is attracting MLS interest. Other reports indicate Monaco had informed Pogba he was free to look for a new club and that the parties would negotiate a financial settlement, but no transfer has been confirmed in the supplied material.
Implications for clubs and competitors
If Monaco and Pogba agree to terminate the contract, Pogba would become a free agent. For Monaco, removing a high‑wage, high‑profile player who has not been available consistently may free budget and a squad spot as the club prepares for the 2026–27 campaign. For prospective suitors, medical fitness will be a key consideration; the available reporting highlights recent injuries and limited playing time since Pogba’s return to football.
Timeline (based on supplied reporting)
- August 2023: Doping test that led to a provisional positive (as referenced in supplied sources).
- February 2024: Provisional four‑year ban announced (reported in supplied material).
- December 2024: Contract with Juventus terminated by mutual consent (reported in some supplied coverage).
- March 2025: CAS reduced Pogba’s ban to 18 months and he was permitted to resume playing.
- June 2025: Pogba signed for AS Monaco on a two‑year deal (reported in supplied sources).
- 2025–26 season: Pogba made six appearances for Monaco, with limited minutes (reported totals appear in the supplied material).
- August 2026: Pogba suffered a fresh thigh/hamstring injury during Monaco pre‑season in England; BBC and other outlets report Monaco and Pogba are in talks to terminate the contract.
What we do and do not know from the supplied sources
We know multiple reputable outlets report Monaco and Pogba are negotiating an early exit after a new muscle injury in pre‑season. We do not have an official statement from AS Monaco or from Pogba confirming the termination, the medical diagnosis from the club, the terms of any settlement, or any completed transfer to another club in the supplied evidence.
Bottom line
Based on BBC reporting and corroborating accounts in French and international media, Paul Pogba is expected to leave AS Monaco after a fresh pre‑season muscle injury, with the club and player in talks over an early contract termination. Interest from MLS clubs is reported, but no move has been confirmed in the supplied sources. The final outcome will depend on the result of the negotiations and medical reports.