AC Milan expected to sign American star
When the New York Yankees and RedBird Capital Partners announced their investment in Italian soccer team AC Milan last summer, their mission was clear: to grow the team's profile in the United States. The fastest way to do that was to sign an American star who will turn heads back home.
On Thursday, Goal.com and Italy's La Gazzetto dello Sport reported AC Milan has its sights set on the biggest American soccer star of all: Christian Pulisic, who now plays for Chelsea.
Pulisic, who has spent much of his Chelsea contract on the bench, is open about his desire to move to a club where he'll be valued and play more.
As the U.S. National Team's star, it's important that he's fit, happy and consistently getting minutes for his club team. AC Milan made it to the Champions League semifinals in 2023 and could well challenge for the tournament title in 2024. Pulisic would undoubtedly grow as a player in that high-pressure environment.
Italy's Serie A is a high-quality league with plenty of potential for financial growth. With Paramount+ owning the streaming rights to the Champions League and Serie A in the U.S., Pulisic's potential transfer could drive more viewership.
Italian fans, though, aren't excited about the potential move. They've protested decisions made by Milan's new American owners and worry that the focus will shift away from the Milan community as Gerry Cardinale, the team's new GM, focuses on the international market.
Plus, Milan already has a fan favorite starting in Pulisic's preferred position: Rafael Leao.
It's unlikely that fan protests will deter Cardinale and AC Milan. Pulisic has reportedly agreed to personal terms with the club, and American midfielder Yunus Musah is rumored to be the next big target.
Musah and Pulisic played all four World Cup games for the U.S. last winter. They grew up training together in the U.S. youth system and share a passion for showcasing American soccer on a global stage.
"I'm really into the project we have of building this new team, this new identity and trying to change the view of American soccer in the world," Musah told MLSsoccer.com earlier this year. "That really inspired me and was one of the things I really wanted to be involved in."
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