Christian Pulisic-AC Milan: Italian Giants Close to a Move for USMNT Star
As the European soccer January transfer window approaches its end, the Christian Pulisic transfer rumors are heating up. The Chelsea and USMNT star is currently out injured, but that Christian Pulisic injury isn’t stopping one of the biggest clubs in the world from making a move for the 24-year-old Hershey, Pennsylvania native. Here is what we know about a possible Christian Pulisic AC Milan move.
Christian Pulisic AC Milan move is immanent, per reports
After several successful seasons in the German Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund, the €64 million Christian Pulisic transfer to Chelsea in the English Premier League made him the most expensive American in European soccer history.
During his three-plus seasons in West London, Pulisic has performed well at times but hasn’t found a foothold in the starting lineup under managers Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, or current boss Graham Potter.
Chelsea’s roster is already crowded at the attacking spots. With the addition of Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, and Joao Felix in this transfer window, Pulisic now seems completely surplus to requirements for The Blues.
That’s why it shouldn’t come as a shock that the Spanish newspaper MARCA is reporting a Christian Pulisic-AC Milan deal is in the works.
“This Monday it was revealed, according to sources close to the American, that the AC Milan board has already begun negotiations to acquire the talent of the USMNT player,” the paper reported.
And now, the Italian side has just a few days left to get a deal done before the January transfer window shuts at the end of business on January 31.
Christian Pulisic injury complicates move
If a Christian Pulisic AC Milan deal does materialize, it’s uncertain as to when the USMNT star will be back on the pitch for his new team.
On January 5, the Chelsea winger hurt his knee in a 1-0 loss to Manchester City and is now out for “a couple months,” according to his manager Graham Potter, per AP News. With that timetable for the Christian Pulisic injury, his new team wouldn’t see him on the field until early March at the earliest.
This means that Pulisic would be available for his new club for the last two-plus months of the 2022-23 season, but AC Milan needs help now.
The club is currently second in Italy’s Serie A, 12 points behind the leader, Napoli. While catching Napoli isn’t likely, holding on to second and a Champions League spot for next season will be the priority.
That won’t be easy, which is why the club is exploring transfer options. Milan is only one point ahead of Lazio, Inter Milan, and Roma in the Serie A table and three points above Atalanta.
When the Christian Pulisic injury recovery is over, the USMNT star will join his fellow national team member Sergino Dest on the Italian squad. He’ll also join another crowded forward depth chart.
A Christian Pulisic AC Milan move would put the American in competition with Rafael Leão, Ante Rebic, and Junior Messias on the wing and Charles De Ketelaere and Brahim Díaz in central midfield.
