AC Milan Secures Deal for Christian Pulisic in €22m Move from Chelsea
AC Milan has announced the signing of Christian Pulisic from Chelsea in a deal worth up to €22 million ($24.2 million, £18.8 million). The agreement includes an initial payment of €20 million, with an additional €2 million in add-ons and a sell-on clause in the event of a future transfer.
Milan made a second bid for Pulisic on Wednesday, increasing their offer from a previous $15.3 million to the final €22 million figure. The 24-year-old is set to leave Chelsea after struggling to secure a consistent place in the team and seeking regular playing time, which is crucial ahead of upcoming events for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT), including the 2024 Copa America and the co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
Pulisic had attracted interest from Lyon, who made a €25 million bid earlier in the week. However, the player made it clear that he was not interested in joining the French club. With only one year left on his contract at Chelsea, Pulisic already has an agreement in place with Milan.
The transfer marks another development in the good relationship between Chelsea and Milan, with several players moving between the clubs in recent years. The Italian side has acquired the services of Olivier Giroud, Fikayo Tomori, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and most recently, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Loftus-Cheek’s arrival has already utilized one of Milan’s two non-EU registration slots for the upcoming season, but Pulisic, who holds a Croatian passport, does not count towards the remaining slot.
Pulisic’s time at Chelsea was characterized by limited starting opportunities, as he made just eight Premier League starts in the 2022-23 season. However, he played a significant role in the club’s Champions League success in the 2020-21 campaign, scoring a crucial goal against Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Notwithstanding his domestic struggles, Pulisic has remained an important player for the USMNT, earning 60 international caps and scoring 25 goals for his country. He started all four of the team’s matches at the 2022 World Cup and was named player of the match in two of their three group stage fixtures. Pulisic also performed impressively at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, winning the tournament with the USMNT.
Despite his achievements on the international stage, Pulisic’s tenure at Chelsea had run its course. The club’s willingness to move on from the American was evident in their recent signings of Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk, both of whom were brought in with substantial investments.
While the source of antipathy towards Pulisic from some Chelsea supporters is unclear, it may stem from his perceived criticism of former head coach Thomas Tuchel in his 2022 book. The hype surrounding Pulisic as the face of American soccer may also contribute to the mixed reception he has received. Nevertheless, Milan is eager to provide an opportunity for Pulisic to reignite his career and make a significant impact in Serie A.
(Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)