Paul Pogba sends clear signal that he's ready to make Monaco free transfer a reality as Frenchman seeks return to football after doping ban

After six months without a club and almost two years since his last professional appearance, 32-year-old Pogba is keen to play again before it is too late. A move to Monaco is on the cards and journalistFabrice Hawkins has reported that, despite the club's understandable caution, talks are "well underway".

According to Hawkins, Pogba has "put everything in place" to quickly move and settle his family in the south of France. His eagerness to secure a contract goes as far as a willingness to make financial sacrifices so that it can be more appealing to Monaco. There is no word on the salary he would accept, but his earning power is vastly reduced given his absence from the sport since 2023.

Pogba, whose second spell at Juventus was blighted by injury even before he was banned for a doping offence, was earning a €10 million (£8.5m/$11.6m) salary in Turin - although that was cut to around €2,000 each month after he was suspended. He was reported to have taken a huge pay cut to rejoin Juventus in 2022 and had been previously earning double that figure at Manchester United.

Pogba has been a free agent since the end of November 2024 and has been able to join a new club without restriction since January 1. He is a gamble for any top-level side, but the sooner he can link up with Monaco, the longer he has to get into match shape before the 2025-26 season begins in August.