Christian Pulisic has become impossible to ignore at Milan. Week after week, the American has delivered goals, assists, and decisive moments that have reshaped both the team’s season and the internal conversations about its future. As the Rossoneri push forward in the title race, attention has quietly shifted behind the scenes toward a crucial contractual decision — one that the club believes will define not only Pulisic’s trajectory, but also Milan’s broader sporting identity.
From the moment he arrived, Pulisic has steadily grown into the club’s most reliable attacking weapon. In the current Serie A campaign, he sits joint-top scorer in the league with seven goals, level with Lautaro Martinez, despite playing fewer minutes due to illness and minor physical setbacks.
Beyond raw numbers, his impact has been unmistakable. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Pulisic has repeatedly changed games, most recently rescuing Milan against Torino despite nearly missing the match entirely due to sickness. Inside the club, there is little debate: no player has been more decisive this season. That form has inevitably brought his contract situation back into focus.
The 27-year-old’s existing agreement with AC Milan runs until 2027, with an option that allows the club to extend it through 2028. On paper, this gives the club significant control and eliminates any immediate danger of a free transfer. However, the club’s leadership is keen to avoid repeating painful lessons from the past. Situations involving Mike Maignan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Hakan Çalhanoglu — where uncertainty lingered too long — still loom large.
In contrast, in the summer, the Red and Blacks sold Theo Hernandez a year before his deal expired to avoid losing him for nothing. This time, the intention is different. Milan wants to reward performance early, strengthen trust, and send a clear signal that excellence will be recognized.
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The salary question
At present, Pulisic earns about $4.4 million per year. His camp is understood to be seeking an increase of at least $1.1 million annually, which would bring him closer to Milan’s top earners.
The club’s internal benchmark is Rafael Leao, whose deal reaches roughly $7.7 million per season once performance-related bonuses are triggered. The San Siro outfit is prepared to move Pulisic toward that tier, believing his output justifies it.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan.
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The meeting on the horizon
According to Calciomercato, Milan has scheduled a key meeting in the spring to advance renewal talks. Club executives are described as “relatively calm”, believing that Pulisic has shown no indication of wanting to leave.
The plan is to offer the best possible terms, extending his contract through 2029 while retaining an automatic extension clause. In other words, the Italian giants want to lock in their most important player for the long term — without pressure, but with conviction.
