05 July 2023 , 15:57
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Chelsea's forgotten man Christian Pulisic could finally be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit door after he made a major decision over where his future may lie.
The USMNT talisman was reduced to a bit-part role for the Blues during a season to forget, playing just 811 minutes as they finished in a lowly 13th place in the Premier League. With less than a year now remaining on his current deal in West London, a parting of ways does seem to be an inevitability this summer.
Given his reduced status within Chelsea's squad last season, the opportunity to save as much as €15m (£12.8) per year in wages through the sale of the 60-time international would likely make business sense for the powers-that-be at the club. It is also worth noting that new signing Christopher Nkunku, as well as Mykhailo Mudryk would likely be ahead of him in the pecking order next season.
The 24-year-old has not been offered a new contract by the club and it looks likely that he will depart, given that Mauricio Pochettino will tasked with balancing the books following chairman Todd Boehly's flurry of transfers in the past year. The man supporters dubbed "Captain America" is not short on potential suitors, however, with AC Milan and Lyon having both made bids for him in recent days, according to ESPN.
This said, it appears that a move to Serie A is preferred by the flying winger and the American is thought to have already agreed personal terms in principle over a switch to the Rossoneri . The seven-time European champions can offer him Champions League football next term and have lodged a bid worth over €20 million (£17 million) to land the player.
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In the case of Lyon, the report suggests that the former Borussia Dortmund man would be reluctant to move to Ligue 1, fearing that the transfer would ultimately be detrimental for his career. It is also believed that Pulisic has informed Chelsea that he prefers a move to Milan.
On top of this, he has also informed the San Siro giants that would prefer a switch to Italy as he prepares to depart the Premier League after four years. It is worth noting that the two clubs have negotiated deals for transfers involving Olivier Giroud, Fikayo Tomori, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the recent past.
Christian Pulisic led a lonely existence late in Chelsea's season, unable to crack a line-up that finished 12th in the Premier League. (AMA/Getty Images)The Pennsylvanian previously openly acknowledged that the last couple of years have been tough for him at club level, admitting that things had not exactly gone to plan during that time. He told ESPN : "It's been a really tough season for me personally and for our team of course at a club level.
"Obviously, it's been an interesting journey at club level for me. I thought it was a great couple years and the last couple years just haven't gone at all how I've planned them to be."
He previously stated that he has been blocking out any speculation regarding his future, however, adding: "People will text me sometimes and be like, 'you're going here?' And I'll be like, 'I didn't even know that.' So, they know more than me most of the time."