Christian Pulisic makes $31.7m transfer preference clear as Chelsea await second offer

AC Milan are reportedly planning to make a second bid for Chelsea star Christian Pulisic. The Italian side have already had an opening bid turned down for the USMNT forward but will return with an improved offer in the coming days.

Pulisic is now in the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and is expected to leave the club this summer after agreeing personal terms with the Serie A outfit.

AC Milan are now pursuing a move for the USMNT star after failing to land the 24-year-old last summer. Chelsea's £25million ($31.7million) price tag of the forward has, so far, provided a stumbling block in any potential exit. Milan's opening bid of £12million ($15.3million) and Lyon's £19million ($25million) offer were both below the west Londoners’ valuation.

It had been understood that Pulisic favoured a move to the San Siro over France, though was interested in Lyon's project due to John Textor's involvement with the club. However, ESPN reported last week that the Blues forward had agreed personal terms in principle with Milan, leaving only an agreement between the two clubs left.

Now, journalist Dean Jones has suggested a second bid from Milan will be submitted for Pulisic 'this week'. Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: "Pulisic no longer fits with the Chelsea model and he is available for transfer. Lyon's bid for him was not too far from what Chelsea have been looking for, which is around £25m, but the problem here is that Pulisic wants to join AC Milan.

"He is very hopeful that Milan return to the table this week with a new offer that is more respectable to Chelsea than their opening bid.

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"I'm told that will happen; a second bid is coming. This is in Milan's hands. If they can find the money, they can sign Pulisic, but their first offer was half the price Chelsea value him at."

News of Milan's improved offer comes after it emerged that Pulisic remains keen on a move to Italy. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported the United States star is 'really, really tempted' by Milan. Speaking in his CaughtOffside column, Romano has also claimed the Chelsea wantaway winger is 'pushing to join Milan'.

The only way AC Milan will land Pulisic this summer is by simply meeting Chelsea's valuation. Time will tell whether their second bid will be enough for Todd Boehly to accept.