Former Manchester United man Paul Pogba is close to securing a return to football alongside Barcelona star Ansu Fati with negotiations reportedly underway.
Pogba has been a free agent since departing former club Juventus amidst a footballing ban. He has been able to play for a new club from March 2025 and has been linked to a host of potential suitors including Manchester United, Wrexham and several other Premier League clubs.
None of these links materialised into serious interest and the 32-year-old has remained on the sidelines. His last competitive fixture came in August 2023 as he played 24 minutes against Bologna in Serie A.
Fati on the other hand remains with Barcelona but has seen his once “wonderkid” status flatline over the last few years. An unimpressive loan to Brighton and Hove Albion was followed up with just 11 appearances last season for a total of just over 300 minutes of football.
Ansu Fati and Paul Pogba Transfer to AS Monaco Nearing Completion
Pogba has been offered a two year deal by AS Monaco with negotiations reportedly underway. Fabrizio Romano reports that the club are confident and waiting for “Paul’s green light”.
Ansu Fati is still in contract with Barcelona and will not be moving to Monaco permanently initially. They club have agreed a loan deal with a buy clause that will be activated later down the line. The move is considered “advanced”.
Monaco Making Moves But Huge Risk Remains
The two transfer deals are a risk for Monaco, Pogba has not played football in nearly two years whilst Fati clearly has talent but failed to show it for a number of years. Both will bring in financial and commercial interest, with Pogba enough of a draw to increase shirt sales and sponsorship deals, but there is likely to be a heft outlay in terms of wages and signing on fees despite his age and condition.
They are both “big names” but neither are guaranteed successes and it would not be a shock to see the pair struggling once again.