2021/22 Serie A champions AC Milan are in danger of losing key target, Christian Pulisic, to Olympique Lyonnais after the French side put in a higher bid for the forward.
Chelsea are, once again, one of the protagonists of the summer transfer window stories after their leading role in the 2022 summer and 2023 winter transfer windows. The Blues came under new management last year and spent over £600 million on their squad. The investment did not pay off and they are back in the market to offload some while signing replacements.
At the time of this report, they have completed the signings of three players while welcoming another few back from their loan spells at other clubs. They have also completed deals for the transfers of a number of players including N’Golo Kante, Édouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly. They are also in the process of completing a deal with Manchester United for Mason Mount.
A lot more signings and departures are expected by the club’s fans in the coming weeks. One of those departures is that of Christian Pulisic, who failed to live up to the billing as Eden Hazard’s replacement due to injuries and loss of form.
The United States Men’s National Team forward is at the end of his four-year stay at Stamford Bridge and a number of clubs have lined up to take the American off Chelsea’s hands. AC Milan reportedly presented a £12 million bid last week after securing the signature of Pulisic’s Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Chelsea, however, stalled on talks as they were looking for more for the American.
Fresh reports now indicate that French Ligue 1 side Lyon have put in a higher bid to beat Milan to the signing of a player who the Rossoneri consider an important target. Lyon’s bid is reported to be £21.5 million and they have also offered Chelsea a sell-on clause in their offer, which could see them make as much as £35 million from Pulisic, who has one year left on his Blues’ contract.
The Premier League side are leaning towards accepting the offer as expected, unsettling Milan, who have reportedly agreed to personal terms with Pulisic according to ESPN. It is understood that Milan are unwilling to spend more than the £17 million which they offered to Chelsea for Loftus-Cheek on Pulisic which could influence the Blues’ decision to listen to Lyon’s offer instead.
It remains to be seen if Milan will up their offer and add another former Chelsea player to their ranks following the acquisitions of Olivier Giroud, Fikayo Tomori and most recently, Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
