Paul Pogba and Monaco are in talks to end their relationship early, and if the contract termination goes through, MLS will be first in line. DC United and Inter Miami have already been linked to the 2018 World Cup winner — and the fit is obvious enough that neither connection needs much explaining.
Pogba signed a two-year deal with Monaco last summer after CAS cut his doping ban from four years to 18 months following a positive test for DHEA in 2023. He returned to professional football in March 2025. One disrupted season at the club, and now both parties are apparently ready to move on.
The injury question no one can ignore
Here's the problem: Pogba picked up a thigh injury during Monaco's preseason training in England this week. Any MLS club seriously considering a move will need to see him clear that before committing — and given that his first Monaco season was already patchy with fitness issues, there's a pattern worth scrutinising.
At 33, with a doping suspension behind him and an injury in front of him, Pogba is a high-upside, high-risk acquisition. That's not a knock — that's just the reality of the situation. MLS clubs will want medical clearance before any deal advances, and the timeline on that is unclear.
Monaco's recent coaching change adds another variable. Filipe Luís has replaced Sébastien Pocognoli, and new managers rarely inherit someone else's midfield plans without revising them. If Luís doesn't see Pogba in his structure, Monaco has every reason to sanction an exit and free up wage space. That alignment of interests — club wanting out, player seeking fresh start — is usually what makes these deals happen quickly once the paperwork catches up.
What it would actually mean for MLS
Inter Miami already have Messi. DC United have been chasing a marquee name for years. A fit, motivated Pogba would move the needle at either club — not just for attendance and commercial revenue, but for credibility in MLS Cup races where depth in midfield often separates contenders from pretenders.
Whether Pogba can still produce at the level that justifies the attention is a separate debate. His Monaco appearances were too limited to draw conclusions. What's not debatable is that no one has confirmed anything yet — and a thigh injury and an unresolved contract negotiation are two things that can derail a move with zero notice.
