Chelsea ‘sent transfer message’ by Christian Pulisic as AC Milan and Lyon jostle

Football Digest: Pulisic heading for exit door at Chelsea

Wantaway Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has reportedly told the club that he will not join Lyon, even if the Blues accept an offer from the Ligue 1 club. That’s because the USMNT international has got his heart set on a move to AC Milan, who have already submitted a written offer of £12m plus bonuses, according to reports.

The Mail claims that Lyon is proposing to offer a comparable deal made up differently but offering £21m including bonuses and a sell-on clause. Milan is said to be waiting for a response from Chelsea but is well aware that Pulisic is dead set on a move to the San Siro.

A deal with the Ligue 1 side could be more problematic, given that the French side still needs to convince the country’s football watchdog DNCG that they have a financial budget, with a presentation due to be made on Tuesday. But Pulisic has already decided that he won’t be off to France regardless of the outcome – with the Mail claiming he has ‘informed Chelsea he will not be joining Lyon – irrespective of their offer’

The 24-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 for a reported £58m transfer fee, but after four seasons in the Premier League, his time appears to be drawing to a close in the capital.

Pulisic is one of 11 players who are expected to be on their way out of the club, as new manager Mauricio Pochettino is forced to slash the size of his inherited squad before moulding his own side.

Mason Mount is expected to join Manchester United in a £55m move this week, while the Blues will seek to find new clubs for Cesar Azpilicueta, Romelu Lukaku, Ethan Ampadu, Trevoh Chalobah, Baba Rahman, Malang Sarr, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech.

Youngsters Levi Cowill and Conor Gallagher also face an uncertain future and are not guaranteed to stay with the Blues for next season.

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Former Tottenham boss Pochettino started his new job on Monday after arriving at Chelsea’s Cobham base. The Argentine’s arrival comes in the wake of the club’s worst season since 1994, which resulted in the sacking of both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, a 12th-place finish in the Premier League and a failure to qualify for European competition next season.

Chelsea’s disastrous 2022-23 campaign came at a high price, with owner Todd Boehly spending over £553m on 17 new players, leaving several high-profile individuals struggling for regular game time.

Pulisic made 30 appearances for the Blues last season but only scored one goal and often played a bit-part role off the bench.

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