Christian Pulisic’s next move: What Milan and Lyon moves would offer USMNT’s

It had seemed, in theory at least, relatively straightforward. Friends in the squad already, Champions League football waiting and one of Europe’s biggest, most recognisable clubs, playing at an iconic stadium in a resurgent league.

Throw into the mix some wealthy American owners and it seemed that USMNT international Christian Pulisic was set for a move to AC Milan that ticked every box. But transfers of big players are very rarely linear, and along have come another storied European club attempting to revive their fortunes with a different compelling offer.

The Athletic reported on Sunday that French side Lyon are providing serious competition for Pulisic’s signature after making a bid worth €25million (£21.5m, $27.3m), plus a meaningful sell-on clause that is still being negotiated.

That proposal is at a level that Chelsea would find acceptable and they are reluctant to let the 24-year-old exit for less. Chelsea have a very good relationship with Lyon following their January signing of full-back Malo Gusto and are fond of the project being overseen by their American owner, John Textor.

It remains to be seen whether Milan will increase their opening verbal offer for the forward, which was worth €14million, but the Londoners will now want them to.

In the background, there is mid-tier interest from Premier League clubs and staying in the UK had been Pulisic’s initial preference, but tangible offers that would allow him to do so, such as those on the table from France and Italy, are yet to materialise.

So what do the contenders have to offer for a player with 60 senior caps who is ready to put his Stamford Bridge stagnation behind him in order to reset his career?

Milan appear to have developed a taste for Chelsea players, formalising their interest in Pulisic not long after luring Ruben Loftus-Cheek down a path from Stamford Bridge to San Siro recently trodden by Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud.

Pulisic has good relationships with all three of those former team-mates and cannot fail to have noticed how Tomori and Giroud in particular have thrived in Italy, helping Milan to win the 2021-22 Serie A title and then reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Staying in Europe’s elite club competition is an important attraction for Pulisic if he does decide to leave the Premier League. Milan, whose fourth place last season guarantees a Champions League group-stage place come September, offer a chance to play a prominent role on the grandest stage in club football as he attempts to put himself in the best possible position to shine for his country at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

But even more appealing is the football fit.

Coach Stefano Pioli has driven Milan’s interest in Pulisic and wants to use him primarily as a No 10 — the role in which he has frequently shone at international level but has rarely been trusted to play for Chelsea…