Christian Pulisic is reportedly willing to take a sizeable pay-cut in order to push through a transfer away from Chelsea this summer.
The American looks to have played his last game for the club after coming on as a late substitute in the final day match against Newcastle last week. That was the third time in a row he had been used from the bench but still only accounted for less than 40 minutes of league gametime across seven games in May.
With the Blues already starting their player shedding with departures for as many as 15 first team stars, Pulisic is expected to be on his way out with interest from Italy on the radar. Just as his expensively assembled teammates are set to find, though, there is no easy option.
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Due to large transfer fees, often massively inflated or overpriced, Chelsea have a challenge to find suitors that can afford their players. Pulisic, who cost £57m ($70.6m) in 2019, would usually fetch over £35m (43.34m) due to his age, experience, track record and marketability. Offers of around £20m ($24.8m) are now going to be considered due to the financial strain.
His poor form, mixed with the public knowledge that Chelsea are keen to move the 24-year-old on, don't make for a strong bargaining position. This creates a big test for the recruitment department in sourcing potential interest with realistic destinations.
Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan all hold Pulisic in high regard and pose as potential new teams but his wages could prove to be an issue. According to Spotrac, Pulisic earns £150,000 ($186,000) per week, a total more than Mateo Kovacic, Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Edouard Mendy.
Milan's highest is reportedly Brahim Diaz with £107,000 ($132,000) per week before Rafael Leao's new contract makes him the top earner. Nobody else earns more than £100,000 per week in Stefano Pioli's side, making Pulisic's wages a huge stumbling block.
It is matters like this that have caused Chelsea problems in the past when it comes to moving players on but the Athletic report that Pulisic would be willing to take a 'considerable' reduction in pay in order to make a move possible. Such is the desire to kick-start his career away from SW6, a financial sacrifice is in the offing.
Chelsea still need to find teams willing to pay big bucks for Pulisic, but if the parties can work together then a deal is far from out of the question.
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