Paul Pogba's future at Monaco is far from certain after the club's general manager, Thiago Scuro, admitted the midfielder could leave before the transfer window closes. With just one year remaining on his contract, a new head coach assessing the squad, and financial pressures mounting, the former World Cup winner now faces a decisive summer in the Principality.
Key highlights
- Thiago Scuro admitted Paul Pogba could leave Monaco during the current transfer window as he enters the final year of his contract.
- New head coach Filipe Luis will use pre-season to determine whether Pogba fits his plans for the upcoming campaign.
- Pogba's injury-hit debut season saw him make only six appearances and play 115 minutes as Monaco finished seventh and qualified for the Conference League.
- Financial pressures and DNCG scrutiny could force Monaco to offload high earners, with Pogba and Eric Dier among the players linked with exits.
Pogba's Monaco Future Hangs in the Balance
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Scuro confirmed the club is carefully assessing Pogba's situation as he heads into the final 12 months of his contract. When asked whether the 33-year-old could depart this summer, the Monaco executive offered a candid response. "Yes, of course. Maybe he will leave, maybe he will stay. It's a very complicated subject."
Scuro stressed that the club has enormous respect for Pogba as a person, praising his positive influence in the dressing room and the support he has given to younger players. However, he also admitted the sporting project has fallen short of expectations.
"When he arrived here, he was very positive, he helped the young players. But the truth is also that the project (with him) didn't work well last season. When we started it, the expectations we had were very different."
Filipe Luis to make the final call after pre-season
The appointment of new head coach Filipe Luis has added another layer of uncertainty surrounding Pogba's future. The former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea defender officially began first-team training on Monday and is expected to use the pre-season programme to evaluate which players best fit his tactical approach ahead of the new campaign.
For Pogba, the summer could effectively become a trial period. The midfielder endured a frustrating first season at Monaco, making only six appearances and accumulating just 115 minutes on the pitch. A succession of fitness setbacks—including thigh, calf and ankle injuries—limited his impact throughout the campaign.
Those struggles coincided with Monaco finishing seventh in the league, forcing the club to settle for Conference League football next season. With Luis now overseeing preparations, the coach will ultimately decide whether Pogba deserves a place in his plans or whether a transfer would better serve both the sporting project and the club's finances.
Physical condition will determine Pogba's fate
Scuro insisted that any decision over Pogba will be based solely on what he produces during pre-season rather than his reputation. The club wants to see whether the midfielder can regain the physical sharpness and technical quality that once made him the world's most expensive footballer during his spell at Manchester United.
Pogba's road back to top-level football has been anything but straightforward. After mutually terminating his contract with Juventus in November 2024, he signed a two-year deal with Monaco in June 2025. His competitive debut for the French club finally arrived in November 2025—his first official appearance in 811 days following an 18-month suspension for a doping violation after testing positive for DHEA.
Scuro made it clear that the coaching staff will closely monitor Pogba's progress throughout the summer before making a final decision. "I believe that now, we have to be fair with him: look at his preparation every week, see how he has progressed at the physical level, at the technical level. And after that, it's going to be a coach's decision, if Filipe Luis is going to give him playing time or not. We have the summer to see what Paul's level will be."
Financial pressure could accelerate Monaco squad overhaul
Sporting considerations are not the only factor influencing Pogba's future. Monaco are also under pressure to reduce their wage bill as France's financial watchdog, the DNCG, closely monitors the club's finances. Given Pogba's sizeable salary, he has emerged as one of the most obvious candidates to leave if he is not expected to play a major role under Filipe Luis.
Reports also suggest Monaco are willing to move on several experienced players to comply with financial regulations and reshape the squad. Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has also been linked with a potential departure as the club looks to lower overall expenditure ahead of the new season.
For now, Pogba's future remains undecided, with his performances during pre-season likely to determine whether he stays to fight for his place or brings his Monaco spell to an early end.
