AS Monaco seeks contract termination with Paul Pogba by September 1

Paul Pogba’s latest attempt at a football renaissance is already over. AS Monaco has offered the former World Cup winner a contract termination, aiming to finalize a financial settlement before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

Pogba joined Monaco on a free transfer after leaving Juventus, signing a two-year deal on June 30, 2025. The contract was supposed to run through June 2027. It will not make it past the summer of 2026.

Six appearances, 115 minutes, one exit

The numbers tell a brutal story. Pogba managed just six appearances during the 2025-26 season, totaling a mere 115 minutes of playing time.

Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro had already begun telegraphing the club’s intentions back in July 2026, publicly expressing doubts about Pogba’s future at the Principality club. Scuro emphasized the importance of managing the club’s wage bill under French football’s financial regulations.

Pogba’s remaining gross salary sits at approximately €2.41 million, which is what the two sides are currently negotiating over. The financial settlement needs to be wrapped up before September 1 to allow Pogba to move on and potentially find another club during what remains of the transfer window.

A career defined by what-ifs

At 33, Pogba’s career trajectory reads like a cautionary tale about talent meeting circumstance. His performances helped France win the 2018 World Cup, where he scored in the final against Croatia.

He went back to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, but that second stint was derailed by a knee injury and, more damagingly, a four-year doping ban that was later reduced to 18 months on appeal. Juventus mutually terminated his contract in November 2024.

Monaco was supposed to be the fresh start. Recurring injuries, including a calf problem and subsequent thigh issues, hampered his ability to contribute effectively on the field.

What comes next for Pogba

For Monaco, clearing Pogba’s wages from the books frees up space under French football’s financial fair play rules. Scuro’s public comments about wage management suggest this is part of a broader housekeeping effort rather than an isolated decision.

The September 1 deadline adds urgency to the negotiations. If a settlement isn’t reached before the window closes, Pogba could find himself technically still a Monaco player but with no realistic path to the first team.