Why Christian Pulisic can leave Milan as Spurs and Liverpool prowl

Why Christian Pulisic can leave Milan as Spurs and Liverpool prowl

Christian Pulisic is one of several Milan players under the microscope at the moment amid the team’s middling form going into the business end of the season.

The US international has not scored a competitive goal this year, with his overall tally for the season reading ten goals and three assists in 29 appearances.

With just one year remaining on his €5.13m-per-year contract, Il Giornale is reporting that Milan are open to letting the 27-year-old leave in the summer for a fee in the region of €60 million. (Via MilanNews24)

Budgetary constraints continue to make matters tricky for Italian sides looking to compete with big clubs elsewhere around Europe. Moreover, Milan’s Champions League qualification is by no means a guarantee. With just two wins in their last five outings in Serie A, the Rossoneri are third in the table with 63 points, mere three points ahead of Juve in fourth, five points off Como in fifth, and six points off Roma in sixth.

With six games left to play, Milan face The Old Lady in two weeks’ time and Europe-chasing Atalanta two weeks after that; missing out on Champions League football is very much a possibility.

Despite relatively middling returns in front of goal during his time at San Siro, Pulisic has revived his form and reputation after an underwhelming spell at Chelsea. His recent form and running-out contract have enticed big-name Premier League sides to take a chance on him. Should they miss out on Champions League football next season, Milan may have to accept a transfer fee far below the €60m number being touted at the moment.

From the Premier League, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as the leading names for Pulisic’s signature. The Reds are no strangers to taking an opportunistic punt on Serie A talent, having done so with Federico Chiesa two summers ago. The Lilywhites, meanwhile, are in dire need of a complete overhaul of their frontline, though their ability to make a move for a player like Pulisic will depend heavily on their Premier League survival.

Anshuman Joshi | GIFN