Christian Pulisic's Chelsea exit is starting to pick up speed as the transfer window enters its third full week. Having opened in mid-June, the Blues have already been able to complete some sizeable deals ahead of a key couple of months for Mauricio Pochettino.
With a huge squad to shed for the new campaign and even more pressingly for pre-season, Todd Boehly and Co are getting down to work quickly. Announcements of three big exits have already been made with Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek set to follow.
Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech will not be far behind as the rapid fire sales process gets a kick-start for Pochettino. Pulisic, though, has been a player without so much speculation. After coming close to leaving last summer both permanently, in a swap deal and on loan, the USMNT star is still expected to be on the move.
After four years at Stamford Bridge he has had two frustrating seasons prompting the push from both sides to see action towards a departure taken. With interest from Napoli, Juventus, West Ham, Lyon and Crystal Palace, the 24-year-old has plenty of options.
There are sides keen on adding an American player to their squad in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup whilst unexplored markets are examined by the Italian sides. It is AC Milan, though, that have come out as the most likely destination for him.
Chelsea and the Rossoneri are already in discussions for the sale of Loftus-Cheek and football.london understands a deal for £18million ($22.9million) has been agreed for the player. Separate talks have also been taking place over the move of Pulisic to San Siro.
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It is said by reports in Italy that Chelsea are willing to drop to as low as £21.5million ($27.3million) for the player despite signing him for upwards of £50million ($63.5million) in 2019. Now, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has given an update on the situation, writing: "AC Milan are negotiating with Chelsea for Christian Pulisic after Loftus Cheek deal agreed. Two separated deals and negotiations.
"Milan insisting to pay less than €25million (£21.6million) asking price, player keen on the move but no agreement between clubs yet."
Chelsea head to America for their pre-season tour of America in just over two weeks and may not have the benefit of the most marketable and popular player in the country on their books by the time the travel comes around. With Pochettino set to hand minutes and attention to those he sees as being part of his first team squad, there would be questions as to if Pulisic would be selecting in a touring party even if not sold come the start of the preparation.
For Chelsea, they are asking European sides to shell out on a player that has been out of form domestically for much of the past 24 months and may well be faced with the prospect of receiving low-ball bids. So far they have been open to selling for almost any price in a bid to simply offload their stars, recoup any cash possible and free up space in the squad.
With a player still yet to enter his peak years and as one of the most commercially attractive options on the planet, Pulisic falls into a different camp compared to Mendy, Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly. Should the offers come in along a similar line then a big question will be asked as to how Chelsea deal with the prospect of not bringing in their desired funds but do have the chance to split with an unhappy player.
It may well define the transfer window as a whole.
