Returning to Ligue 1 after eighteen months away from the field, Paul Pogba left nothing to chance by joining AS Monaco. Behind the euphoria aroused by his signature, a confidential option appears in his contract: if the club of the rock does not win a place in the European Cup from 2026, the former world champion will be able to go freely. A scenario that would weaken the entire Monegasque project, while the arrival of the star was to serve as a launching ramp towards new ambitions.
Pogba's “opt-out” clause that worries
The Pogba contract extends until June 2027, but includes an “opt-out” clause: if Monaco fails to qualify for the Champions League, the Europa League or the Conference League in May 2026, the player will be free to leave without compensation. This unilateral option has been revealed by several concordant sources. For AS Monaco, this detail is not trivial: in case of failure, Pogba could slam the door at zero cost, leaving the club without financial counterpart … and without its headliner.
The potential shortfall promises to be heavy. In addition to the 7 to 8 million euros in transfer of the transfer that would fly, Monaco would lose a huge marketing asset and a lever of attractiveness with sponsors. If Pogba affects a reasonable fixed salary (€ 4 million gross/year, or 65 % less than in Juventus, compatible with financial fair play), it also benefits from bonuses that encourage the club to perform: one million euros in the case of a title of Ligue 1 and above all, a super-bonus of € 2 M if it is playing more than 30 matches in 2025-2026. But then again, the risk exists: Pogba has not reached this total of meetings in a season since 2019.
Pogba's secret option: Monaco plays Big
Two scenarios for Monaco
Everything is now based on the upcoming classification. If ASM finishes in the top 4, Pogba remains, its bonuses become reachable and the club benefits from a maximum media exposure before the 2026 World Cup. But in the event of underperformance (a sixth place or worse), the clause is active: Pogba leaves free, Monaco cashes a double loss (financial and sporting), and the Mercato 2026 is already leading.
By signing Pogba, Monaco offers himself a global showcase, but also places a sword of Damocles above his project. The coming exercise promises to be decisive: the ASM to prove that it is not just a simple transitional step for stars in search of rebound.
