AS Monaco Go Big: Pogba, Fati & a Hint of 2013 Nostalgia
The Monaco yacht is cruising again, and this time it’s docking with two of the biggest transfer names of the summer. That’s right, Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati have touched down in the Principality to complete their respective moves to AS Monaco. Yep, you read that right. This isn’t Football Manager, it’s real life.
Pogba: From Ban to Beachside Bounce-Back
First up, Le Pog. Paul Pogba, who’s had more comebacks than a Marvel franchise, is set to sign a two-year deal with Monaco after arriving on Thursday. A medical and some paperwork are all that stand between him and a shiny new chapter on the French Riviera.
Now, in case you forgot, Pogba hasn’t kicked a competitive ball since September 3, 2023, thanks to a doping ban. He tested positive for elevated testosterone levels after a Serie A game for Juventus and ended up fighting a four-year ban. The twist? It turns out the whole thing stemmed from a supplement recommended by a Florida-based doctor. No dodgy syringes in hotel bathrooms here, just a poorly judged vitamin regimen.
Thankfully, the Court of Arbitration for Sport gave him some leeway, slashing the ban down to 18 months after concluding the breach wasn’t deliberate but still not ideal. The verdict? Pogba wasn’t totally innocent, but he wasn’t intentionally cheating either. Monaco are betting that with the right environment, he can rediscover his magic.
Oh, and to put things in perspective: Pogba has 63 million Instagram followers. AS Monaco? About 2 million. Yeah. They just signed a walking, talking, occasionally dancing brand.
Ansu Fati: New Start in a New Shirt
Joining him is Ansu Fati, the once-anointed heir to Messi’s throne at Barça. Things didn’t quite pan out at Camp Nou, but Monaco are ready to take him under their stylish wing.
Fati has landed in the principality ahead of a season-long loan deal, which includes an option to buy at the end of the campaign. A medical is scheduled for Friday, and if all goes smoothly, expect Monaco to drop the official unveil like it’s a new Balenciaga drop.
The 22-year-old has had his share of injuries, but the talent is undeniable. If he stays fit and finds his rhythm in Ligue 1, Monaco might have just pulled off one of the sneakiest coups of the window.
The Eric Dier Cherry on Top
And just in case you missed it, Eric Dier already joined Monaco earlier in the window on a free. So yes, Monaco’s squad now features Dier, Pogba, and Fati, sounds like the opening line of a very expensive punchline.
Flashback to Monaco’s Big-Spender Era
This flurry of high-profile arrivals is giving off serious 2013-14 flashbacks, when Monaco dropped €150 million on stars like Radamel Falcao and James Rodríguez under president Dmitry Rybolovlev. Since then, they’ve preferred polishing raw gems over hoarding headline names but Pogba and Fati? That’s serious star wattage.
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