The Waiting Game: Pulisic Delays Milan Renewal in Exchange for Champions League Certainty
16 November 2025
Talks stall as Pulisic ties renewal to Champions League
Christian Pulisic’s contract renewal with AC Milan hinges on a single condition: guaranteed participation in the Champions League next season.
Italian sources report that Milan remains keen to keep Pulisic and is prepared to offer a contract that would extend beyond 2027, but negotiations have paused for the moment.
Analyst Danilo Longo notes that both sides are handling the matter calmly, given that Pulisic’s current deal runs until June 2027 and Milan holds an option to extend for one more year.
Milano’s confidence in Pulisic remains high, with plans to reward his form by increasing his salary from 4.4 to 5.5 million euros per season.
Historically, Milan had been ready to present a new offer before the end of the 2024-25 season, but the American preferred to wait for a new head coach before committing long-term.
Even though Massimiliano Allegri’s appointment aligns with Pulisic’s technical expectations, his desire to play in the Champions League next season currently prevents a renewal from moving forward.
Staying at San Siro remains the player’s priority; for now, neither side is pressing to seal a deal, leaving renewal talks dependent on European qualification.
Allegri’s arrival, injuries, and a derby focus
During the current pause, Pulisic has not joined the United States national team after an injury sustained last month. Despite featuring 20 minutes against Parma, Milan kept him with the squad to prepare for the derby against Inter on Sunday, November 23.
Pulisic said that discussions had been productive and that it would not be wise to rush international duty; his priority is staying fit and ensuring the hamstring is in good shape, which he considers the best move for everyone involved.
He has started the season strongly, netting six goals in eight matches across Serie A and the Coppa Italia, and says he might be in the best physical moment of his career and wants to enjoy it if this is his peak.
As one of the most prominent American players, Pulisic has established a noticeable European and global presence since his youth. Born on September 18, 1998, he rose through multiple youth setups before catching the eye with his pace, offensive instinct, and technical ability, making him a target for major European clubs.
He began his professional career at Borussia Dortmund, making his Bundesliga debut in 2016 as the youngest American to score in the competition. His time in Dortmund showcased his development, leading to a high-profile move to Chelsea in 2019 for a record fee for an American player. At Chelsea, he continued to perform at a high level, contributing to the club’s successes including a Champions League triumph in 2020-2021 and other trophies. In 2023 he joined Milan for 22 million euros and helped the club win the Super Cup last season. Internationally, he has been a mainstay of the US national team since 2016, playing in World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup, earning the nickname Captain America among fans. His career has been marked by injuries but his professionalism has remained a constant presence on and off the pitch.
He has faced injuries but has consistently fought back, embodying the resilient American spirit on the European stage.
Punchline 1: If patience were a shot, Milan would already be lifting the trophy — the waiting game here is basically a long-range sniper practice, but the target remains the top of the table.
Punchline 2: In football negotiations as in comedy, timing is everything; here’s hoping Milan finds the perfect moment to pull the trigger and sign on the European dream.
