Christian Pulisic has been given one condition to stick to upon his next transfer as a way back at Chelsea looks increasingly unlikely. Having only made his return to the matchday squad last week, with two appearances from the bench, the 24-year-old is now preparing for international duty.
The time away with his country may well disrupt his already disjointed position in life at Stamford Bridge. With new signings coming in to give added competition and a mass summer exodus on the cards for owner Todd Boehly, Pulisic's future is up in the air.
His time out - just over two months with injury picked up in early January - may well have prolonged his stay in London with interest in his services from across Europe. That hasn't made it any easier to pin down where he will be playing football next season though.
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There was intrigue in him last year but no deal was completed. When the next window opens in just under four months' time Pulisic's name will be in the ring for a move again and former USMNT star Eric Wynalda speaking thinks that there's plenty to consider before deciding his next destination.
Speaking to The Action Network, Wynalda said: “Christian Pulisic has been rumoured to just about every top club in Europe. Newcastle seemed to be the most believable about two months ago but they have slipped a bit and no longer look to be the destination.”
The Toon were one of the sides in contention and, chasing Europe, have ambitions to gatecrash on the established elite of the current English and continental game. “(A move to) Newcastle would be about the money," he said. "One thing we do know, Chelsea has muddied the waters so severely that there are no roads back to London for Christian Pulisic.
“The number (Pulisic’s transfer fee) is rumoured to get as high as $60m (£49m). The other teams which could be his next home are all fighting for a Champions League spot and will be the determining factor. Those teams are not just in England but, Spain, Germany and Italy."
The issue for the Blues and for Pulisic, other than his contract expiring in the summer of 2024, making it even more important that the player makes a decision on his future quickly, is the lack of finances available to sides. Pulisic's wages may also cause and issue, making it a very specific and niche market that would be after and could afford the winger.
“AC Milan is the most interesting for that category who will need to find their form to hold off several storied clubs for the last UCL spot in Italy. If Milan can pull it off, securing a fourth-place finish or higher, they would be his best choice in my opinion.
“Real Madrid have yet to make a clear written offer but if they do they will win this competition for his services. A move back to Germany would be about familiarity.
“Milan would be about the story – Real Madrid would be about the perception. Either way, his new club will make most of the transfer money back in shirt sales. Just don’t ask for the Number 10 this time.”
Pulisic took on the No10 shirt at Stamford Bridge after Eden Hazard left the club and has so far failed to live up to the expectation. For now his first goal will be getting back to fitness and finishing the season strongly at SW6.
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