Paul Pogba, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, is on the verge of a sensational return to professional football after being offered a two-year contract by Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. The 32-year-old World Cup winner has been a free agent since his contract with Juventus was mutually terminated in November 2024, following an 18-month doping ban that sidelined him from competitive action since September 2023. The proposed move to Monaco could mark Pogba’s first return to French domestic football since leaving Le Havre’s academy for Manchester United in 2009.
Sources confirm that negotiations between Pogba and Monaco are progressing well, with talks set to continue over the weekend. The Ligue 1 club, which secured a third-place finish last season and a spot in the Champions League, is keen to bolster its midfield with the experienced Frenchman’s talent and flair. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Monaco’s offer is part of their ambitious project to strengthen the squad, which also includes ongoing discussions to sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati. The opportunity to play in the Champions League could be a significant factor for Pogba, who has been linked with moves to the MLS, Saudi Pro League, and even a potential return to Manchester United in recent months.
Pogba’s career has been a rollercoaster since his doping suspension, which was initially set at four years but reduced to 18 months after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The midfielder has been open about the challenges he faced during his ban, describing it as a “time of darkness” in an interview with the Daily Mail. Despite interest from clubs like D.C. United, who hold his MLS discovery rights, and Inter Miami, where he discussed possibilities with co-owner David Beckham, Pogba has prioritized a return to European football. His recent training videos and public statements reflect a fierce determination to reclaim his place on the pitch, with ambitions to earn a spot in France’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Monaco’s interest in Pogba emerged earlier this month when his representatives offered his services to the club, as reported by Foot Mercato. While other Ligue 1 sides, such as Marseille, were linked, Pogba’s high salary demands made a move to the Vélodrome unlikely. Monaco, however, appears ready to meet the financial and competitive expectations of the former Juventus star, who has not played a full 90-minute match since March 2022 during his time at Manchester United.