Reports: OL Lyon table bid for Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic
According to an exclusive from the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Olympique Lyonnais have produced a competing bid to rival AC Milan by launching a €25m offer for Christian Pulisic.
The Chelsea winger is the latest name on a long list of expected departures this summer as the club attempts a wholesale clearance of their roster after slumping to 12th place in the Premier League last season with a bloated roster.
Even after eight players (Mason Mount’s imminent transfer included) have departed the club, the Blues hierarchy is determined to refresh the dressing room.
Pulisic is one name that has made the rounds of late on the transfer market. While previously linked with a return to the Bundesliga and Juventus, the American forward has now received two concrete offers.
The first was from AC Milan, a bid worth €14m following the capture of Loftus-Cheek. Chelsea rejected the bid but left the door open for further talks because it was significantly below the asking price.
The USMNT international, tempted by a new experience in Italy, had agreed personal terms with the Serie A giants until Lyon came knocking with an alluring €25m offer.
The signing of Malo Gusto in January refined the relationship between Lyon owner John Textor and Chelsea; a huge factor in where this deal could lead. There’s a solid chance for this bid to be accepted, as both clubs are currently discussing a meaningful sell-on clause as well. As always, it also depends on the player as well – should Pulisic make his mind up to play in France, this transfer would be a matter of days before completion.
However a recent report from ESPN’s Julien Laurens, indicated that Pulisic is leaning towards turning down an offer to head over to Ligue 1, preferring instead to sign on with AC Milan if their offer can be improved. One of the motivations behind this decision is his desire to continue playing Champions League football, something that Lyon cannot offer at the moment.
The best scenario from Chelsea’s point of view would be a counterbid from Milan with improved terms. The Italian club are also advancing on Pulisic’s compatriot Yunus Musah.
The Blues have vastly freed up their wage bill already, with well-paid players such N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz and Kalidou Koulibaly sold.
Pulisic presently earns close to £145,000 per week. The 24-year-old earned just eight starts last season, with one goal to show for it. After four years at Stamford Bridge, it might be best for the hugely talented US captain to begin a new chapter elsewhere.
Lyon and Chelsea could also be in discussions over Rayan Cherki, as the Blues are reportedly weighing their options for the 19-year-old Frenchman.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Kirill Venediktov. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.