Paul Pogba is reportedly set to leave Monaco just one year after joining the French club, with the World Cup winner’s return to football having failed to go as planned.
As reported by L’equipe Monaco’s management informed Pogba nearly three weeks ago that they did not intend to continue their relationship beyond this summer, according to reports from L’Équipe and Nice-Matin.
The 33-year-old still has one year remaining on his contract, but the club is now looking for a solution that would allow him to leave before the transfer window closes.
Pogba joined Monaco last summer after terminating his contract with Juventus and completing a lengthy suspension for an anti-doping violation.
The move was seen as an opportunity for the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder to rebuild his career and return to competitive football.
However, his first season in Monaco was severely disrupted by fitness problems.
Pogba managed just 115 minutes of football throughout the campaign, falling well short of the expectations surrounding his arrival.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro had already acknowledged during pre-season that the club’s project with Pogba had not gone as planned.
“The truth is that the project with Pogba didn’t work well last season. When we started it, our expectations were very different. Is he likely to leave? Yes, of course,” Scuro said.
Pogba unable to change Monaco’s plans
Monaco had initially planned to make a final decision towards the end of August, giving Pogba an opportunity to impress during pre-season and potentially change the club’s thinking.
However, the midfielder has struggled to build momentum.
He played just 45 minutes in Monaco’s friendly against Saint-Priest on July 18 and subsequently missed the club’s other pre-season matches.
Pogba also suffered a thigh injury during training on Tuesday, further complicating his efforts to prove his fitness.
The latest setback has reportedly reinforced Monaco’s decision to move on from the former France international.
The French club are now expected to work with Pogba and his representatives to find a solution before the transfer window closes.
