The close of the summer window has not taken Dani Carvajal and Paul Pogba off the market, with both still able to join clubs as unattached players. Their situations are very different, though: Carvajal became available when his Real Madrid contract expired in June 2026, while Pogba re-entered the market after Monaco ended his deal in August 2026.
- Carvajal is available after the planned expiry of his Real Madrid contract in June 2026.
- Pogba became unattached after Monaco terminated his contract in August 2026 following an injury-hit spell.
- Free agents can still sign after deadline day, although registration timing and squad rules may affect when they can play.
Carvajal and Pogba’s Current Situation
Dani Carvajal remains one of the standout names in the post-window free-agent pool after the end of his long Real Madrid spell. The 34-year-old did not leave through an early exit or a broken agreement; his contract simply ran its course in June, bringing a 23-year association with the club to a close. Across 13 years with the senior side, he made 451 appearances and collected 27 titles, including six Champions League trophies.
Carvajal’s availability still comes with some uncertainty around his condition and timing. A ruptured ACL limited him for large parts of the previous season, although he still managed 23 appearances in all competitions. He has not retired and has spent the summer training at the Spanish Football Federation’s Las Rozas facilities with fellow free agent Joselu.
Paul Pogba reached the market by a very different route. Monaco terminated the midfielder’s contract in August, around a year before it had originally been due to end, after injuries disrupted his return to club football following an 18-month doping suspension. Pogba made only six competitive appearances for Monaco, which underlined just how little football he was able to play before becoming unattached.
Post-Window Opportunities and Their Next Moves
Unattached players do not fall into the same category as footballers still tied to clubs when the main transfer deadline passes. That means Carvajal and Pogba can still be signed, even with the summer window shut, although registration cut-offs, squad limits and competition rules can still shape when a new arrival is actually eligible to feature.
Carvajal’s next step is still hard to pin down. There is no clear public link to a new club at this stage, and his age plus the recent ACL injury naturally add caution to any decision from interested sides. Even so, his training work through the summer suggests he is staying ready rather than winding down his career.
Pogba’s outlook is also unresolved, with fitness again a major part of the picture. A hamstring injury suffered during Monaco’s pre-season training camp in England could affect the timing of any move, including a possible switch to Major League Soccer. His next opportunity may depend as much on recovery and squad fit as on reputation alone.
