Christian Pulisic Transfer Dream Fades Amid AC Milan Reality

New York City FC's president, Brad Sims, has expressed the team's desire to acquire Christian Pulisic, but AC Milan's reluctance to sell the top American player complicates the transfer.

What happened?

At a recent Major League Soccer event, Sims stated that if he asked his 29 counterparts across the league if they would be interested in having Christian Pulisic on their team, he's pretty sure he'd get 29 yesses. Sims added that MLS would love to have Pulisic here, but it's dead in the water if AC Milan doesn't want to give him up.

Why it matters for Christian Pulisic

Pulisic, an attacking midfielder from Hershey, Pennsylvania, has been entering the fourth season of a five-year deal with AC Milan after playing for Borussia Dortmund from 2016-19 and Chelsea from 2019-23. He has 33 goals in 90 international appearances but is coming off a disappointing World Cup in which he failed to score and had one assist.

What comes next?

Sims expressed his team's hope that Pulisic wants to play in MLS, wants to be back home, and at whatever point in time that is, New York City FC would think and hope that they would be very high on his list of teams that he would want to play for. However, Pulisic's current situation with AC Milan makes it difficult for the transfer to happen.

Pulisic scored 10 goals in his first 15 appearances for AC Milan last season but ended his club season in a career-worst scoreless streak, failing to get a goal in 19 games after December 28. He fractured his right leg in the round of 16 loss to Belgium and left the game early.

Sims emphasized that Pulisic's level was high this summer, and he thought his level was high. However, it's disappointing that he didn't quite have the moments he was hoping to and to try to help the team get over the next step of beating a really good team.

The 27-year-old midfielder has struggled with injuries and form, including a disappointing World Cup performance. He missed one of the five U.S. games and came out of two others early due to injuries.

Pulisic's current situation with AC Milan makes it difficult for the transfer to happen. However, New York City FC remains hopeful that Pulisic wants to play in MLS and be back home.

category: player_focus