Chelsea could continue transfer exodus with 'priority' identified

24 June 2023 , 22:22

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Christian Pulisic could reportedly leave Chelsea during the summer transfer window (Image: Ethan Miller/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

Chelsea’s summer transfer business could see them part ways with Christian Pulisic.

The USMNT international has been the subject of speculation with his future over the last few months. New manager Mauricio Pochettino will likely assess Pulisic’s future In his first few weeks in the job.

Pochettino was brought to the club as a replacement for Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, who served in interim charge following the exit of Graham Potter last season. Now Pochettino will be busy working on the club’s transfer business, with the future of Pulisic likely to be near the top of the list.

According to reports in France, Pulisic could head to Ligue 1 with Lyon this summer. As claimed by , Lyon are expressing an interest in signing Pulisic this summer, which would seem to be on a permanent deal if completed.

The report states that Lyon have made signing Pulisic their “priority” this summer. However, it has not been stated how much Chelsea would demand in terms of a transfer fee.

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Chelsea signed Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund in January 2019, where he officially moved to Stamford Bridge a few months later. The London club paid £57.6 ($73.2m) to sign Pulisic a little over four years ago, but now it appears they could be ready to cash in.

Pulisic is under contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2024, and there have been no rumours of a possible extension as he prepares to enter the final year of his deal. That has led to speculation that he could leave Stamford Bridge in order for Chelsea to avoid losing the player for free at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Regardless of what happens with Pulisic’s future, he is not the only player who is likely to exit the club this summer. Chelsea have spent more than £500m ($650m) since the summer of 2022, and as a result, could be under pressure to sell some players in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Mauricio Pochettino face a busy summer transfer window in his first year as Chelsea manager (Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Mason Mount continues to be heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, and is also out of contract in 2024. Another midfielder, Mateo Kovacic, seems destined to join Manchester City if the latest reports are to be believed.

Kai Havertz is another player who could leave Chelsea this summer. Arsenal and Bayern Munich are reported to be interested in signing the Germany international, who scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Man City.

N’Golo Kante could reportedly move to Saudi Arabia this summer, and it’s the same for Hakim Ziyech. Plus, loan signings Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria are leaving Stamford Bridge and returning to their parent clubs.

There is also uncertainty around other players such as Romelu Lukaku, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, Conor Gallagher, Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Edouard Mendy.

Mark Wakefield