Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that Christian Pulisic is “very, very open” to leaving Chelsea this summer amid reports Leeds and Newcastle are among his admirers – but the Blues are wary of losing the United States skipper.
Pulisic, 23, has fallen down the pecking order after the signing of Raheem Sterling. He has played in both Premier League matches against Everton and Tottenham. But, both appearances have come from the bench for Chelsea.
Reports state that Manchester United, Leeds and Newcastle all want to sign the 50-time USA international. He will want to be playing regularly before the Qatar World Cup in order to be in the best of form to help his country this summer.
Jones reports that Pulisic, a £58million signing at Chelsea from Dortmund, is keen to go. However, he has a problem. That is, that Chelsea would prefer to offload Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech this summer, and keep Pulisic.
“Pulisic is very, very open to leaving Chelsea, let’s put it that way, but the problem he’s got is that [Hakim] Ziyech and [Callum] Hudson-Odoi are the options Chelsea would rather get rid of than Pulisic,” Jones said.
Pulisic ‘very open’ to leaving Chelsea: Leeds and Newcastle admirers
Which club would be best for Pulisic? A move to Leeds would see him link up with fellow American in Jesse Marsch, who is impressing as Leeds boss. He would also team up with USMNT teammates Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams.
At Manchester United, there could be more of a chance for game time. United are lacking in the amount of options they have out wide, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford first choice. First reserve is youngster Anthony Elanga.
Newcastle need a right-handed winger and Pulisic is more than capable in that position. Ryan Fraser, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy are options – but Pulisic is head and shoulders above those players. All three could do with him.
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