Five MLS Clubs That Could Sign Paul Pogba—Ranked
Major League Soccer is entering the final stretch of a midseason summer transfer window before switching to the European calendar in 2027. While the window has already introduced Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski and Casemiro to the league, the potential of Paul Pogba looms large as well.
According to reports, Pogba is set to have his contract with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco terminated and would be welcome to join another team, as he continues to look for consistency following his return from a doping suspension.
MLS teams looked to sign the 33-year-old before and could very well be in the mix again. In 2025, D.C. United held Pogba’s MLS Discovery Rights, and there have been no reports of those rights being moved, meaning they could have the first right of refusal on the 2018 World Cup winner, even if their roster-building project has moved on.
With the consideration of Discovery Rights, premium roster slots, Targeted Allocation Money and U22 Initiative roster profiles, Sports Illustrated ranks five teams that could be in the mix to sign the Frenchman before the window closes on Sept. 2.
Wild Card: Inter Miami
Inter Miami seem to figure things out, even if it means being investigated for alleged tampering charges. Currently, the club is maxed out on its Designated Player (DP) slots beyond belief, with Casemiro and Luis Suárez already on massive contracts that don’t even qualify as DP deals. Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame take up the DP spots and are signed beyond this season.
Pogba would likely want to play in Miami, though, and the Herons seem to figure things out under the ownership of Jorge and Jose Mas and David Beckham, so it’s impossible to count them out.
5. Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids need more in central midfield and just got a massive cash injection with the $17 million transfer of starlet defender Lucas Herrington to Premier League side Hull City. While they don’t directly get that full sum to spend again, they are in a better position to add to the roster and will need to find talent to elevate a team that has shown elements of hope.
To sign Pogba, the Rapids would likely need to acquire his Discovery Rights and then work out a contract despite being a less-than-desirable club compared to the luxurious destinations of Miami, Los Angeles and New York, which are often bigger contenders.
There’s a positional need in Colorado, and there’s an ability to switch to the three-DP player model from the U22 Initiative roster profile they are currently operating under, with Paxten Aaronson and Rafael Navarro as the team’s DPs. Is it likely? No. Yet, it’s certainly possible.
4. New York City FC
New York City FC are preparing to open Etihad Park in 2027 and will likely want a marquee superstar to headline the launch of the club’s new era. While they’ve attempted to sign Christian Pulisic and could be in the mix to add former NYCFC Academy star Gio Reyna at some point, Pogba stands as a potential opportunity as well.
NYCFC don’t necessarily need a central midfielder given the presence of Nicolás Fernández Mercau, who has 13 goals in 18 games in his debut MLS season, but finding a veteran to fill the void left by the injured Maxi Moralez could be an option.
While the club hasn’t had an aging European star since its first years, which included Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa, there’s a clear ambition to re-enter the MLS elite, and Pogba could be the way to do it. They don’t have a DP spot, though, so they would have to add Pogba as a Targeted Allocation Money player for at least the rest of the 2026 season.
3. CF Montréal
CF Montréal are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but just landed 37-year-old Alexis Sánchez for the remainder of the 2026 season and the 2027 sprint season, with an option for the entire 2027-28 campaign under the new calendar. He’s the club’s only DP, so why not chase Pogba?
Montréal need all the talent they can get these days, and taking what could be a relatively affordable gamble on adding Pogba could be worth a shot, especially after adding Sánchez in a similar type of signing.
As the league’s only French-speaking market, Pogba would be a massive hit for sports fans in Montréal as well, something which could be worthwhile even if he’s not the type of player that will bring medium- to long-term success.
2. Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City were in the mix to sign Mohamed Salah this summer, but couldn’t offer the European attraction of Trabzonspor. This Turkish side eventually landed the former Liverpool star. Years ago, under previous ownership, the club also looked to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
It’s clear that Sporting Kansas City wants a big star, and under new managing owner Peter Mallouk, they have the money and willpower to do it. Unfortunately for them, the city lacks the allure of some of the league’s more luxurious markets, even if they can financially match any other team.
SKC would likely have to pay for Pogba’s rights, but could use a central midfielder and a marquee player to reinvigorate a passionate fanbase. They have a DP spot to do it as well, with only Manu García and Dejan Joveljić taking up two of potentially three spots at the moment.
1. LAFC
If LAFC wants Pogba, they can sign Pogba. Featuring a team with the Frenchman’s longtime international teammate and fellow 2018 World Cup winner, Hugo Lloris, as well as the attacking talents of Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga, LAFC would be an attractive sporting setup for Pogba to join.
The club needs some more creativity in central midfield after Stephen Eustàquio’s loan expired as well, and could very well be in the mix. Pogba has been seen at BMO Stadium before and is more than familiar with the city of Los Angeles from his travels across the United States. At the same time, the club could switch to the DP roster profile model and add him as their third DP.
Under manager Marc Dos Santos, the club has been more defense-minded than in the past, but Pogba could fit that role, given his history as a relatively versatile player in the middle of the park. They would also likely need to acquire his Discovery Rights.
