NYCFC Pursuit of Christian Pulisic 'Dead in the Water' as AC Milan Rejects Bid

New York City FC president Brad Sims confirmed the club's interest in a Christian Pulisic transfer, though AC Milan has already rejected an initial approach.

New York City FC president Brad Sims confirmed on Thursday that a potential Christian Pulisic transfer to Major League Soccer is currently "dead in the water" following AC Milan's refusal to sell the American attacker. Despite an approach from NYCFC reported last month, the Italian side has rejected the move for the Hershey, Pennsylvania native, whose current contract in Milan runs through June 2027. The deal includes a club option for an additional year, keeping the 27-year-old—who turns 28 this September—under contract for at least three more seasons.

Pulisic joined AC Milan three years ago after a career path that included stints at Borussia Dortmund from 2016-19 and Chelsea from 2019-23. While he netted 10 goals in his first 15 appearances for the Rossoneri last season, he concluded the campaign on a career-worst scoreless streak, failing to find the back of the net in 19 consecutive games after December 28. On the international stage, the forward has recorded 33 goals in 90 appearances for the United States, though he is currently recovering from a microfracture in his right leg sustained during a Round of 16 loss to Belgium.

Injury Struggles and World Cup Performance

The American captain's recent World Cup campaign ended without a goal and with only one assist. Physical setbacks limited his availability, causing him to miss one of the five U.S. fixtures and necessitating early exits in two other matches. The fractured right leg suffered last week will sideline him for several weeks, adding to a summer where the player expressed disappointment in his inability to help the team beat a high-level opponent. Pulisic noted that while he felt his level was high during the tournament, he failed to produce the specific moments required to advance the squad further.

Brad Sims addressed the league-wide desire for the attacker's return during an event promoting the resumption of the MLS season. Sims stated that all 29 of his counterparts across the league would likely vote in favor of having Pulisic on their rosters. The NYCFC executive expressed a belief that the player eventually wants to return home to play in the United States, hoping that New York City FC remains high on his list of preferred destinations when AC Milan is finally willing to negotiate a departure.

Etihad Park Opening and Stadium Logistics

Beyond the Christian Pulisic transfer news, Sims announced that NYCFC’s new 25,000-seat venue, Etihad Park, is now scheduled to open on July 17, 2027. This date marks the beginning of the 2027-28 season, coinciding with the league's transition to a calendar that aligns with European schedules. The stadium project, located adjacent to the New York Mets' Citi Field, broke ground in December 2024. Although originally slated for a 2027 opening, a delay was announced last February, pushing the debut to the mid-summer date.

During the truncated 2027 transition season, the club will continue to utilize Yankee Stadium and Citi Field for the majority of its home fixtures. Since its inaugural season in 2015, NYCFC has navigated a fragmented stadium situation, playing matches at the home of the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey, and Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. The new permanent home in Queens has been 12 to 13 years in the making, involving the vetting of dozens of sites across the five boroughs.

Future Tenure at Etihad Park

The new stadium will also serve as the home for Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League starting in 2028. As NYCFC prepares for this infrastructure shift, the pursuit of high-profile talent like Pulisic remains a central ambition, even as AC Milan maintains its stance on the player's immediate future. For now, the attacker remains in Italy, while NYCFC focuses on its transition to a European-style calendar and the completion of its long-awaited permanent facility.