Christian Pulisic’s remarkable transformation in Italy — from Chelsea outcast to Milan’s most decisive attacker — has shaped much of the club’s recent story. Yet behind the goals, assists, and leadership moments, another storyline has been quietly unfolding: the club’s push to secure his long-term future. And after weeks of reports describing the situation as “on stand-by” due to uncertainty around UEFA Champions League implications, Milan and its fans have now received an encouraging update.
Pulisic arrived at San Siro in 2023 seeking revival, and he has done far more than that. From a player who once battled injuries and inconsistency at Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, he has become the symbolic face of the Rossoneri’s new era, a figure Massimiliano Allegri trusts implicitly.
Italian reports highlight his rapid evolution. So far, the American has 109 appearances, 38 goals, and 25 assists for the team, production far exceeding anything he achieved in Germany or England. In Serie A alone, he has been a consistent match-winner, scoring 15 goals in his first season, 17 last season, and already six in 2025-26. His shift inward from the right flank has only amplified his influence: Milan often looks like a different team the moment he touches the ball.
He has developed into a technical and vocal leader as well. His partnerships with Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot generate a 2.6 points-per-game average, a figure that underpins the club’s ambition to make a sustained title challenge. Even in the weeks when injuries hit both him and Rafael Leao, Pulisic’s sense of responsibility defined the team’s competitive edge.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring.
see also
Report: Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan target a surprising Brazilian icon ahead January transfer market
Why the renewal stalled — And what Pulisic wants
Yet all this progress led to a contract situation that seemed to be… stuck. According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo, Milan had prepared a new deal for the 27-year-old as far back as last spring. But the American delayed signing, wanting clarity on the club’s sporting direction. “The renewal is on stand-by,” the outlet reported, adding that Pulisic felt disappointment about some decisions in the previous season and wanted to know: Who would the new coach be? What project would he be signing up for?
Allegri’s arrival satisfied the first requirement — a “winning coach” with a clear tactical identity. But Pulisic still sought one more critical assurance: a return to the Champions League. Multiple Italian sources have since confirmed the same point. “Pulisic is demanding guarantees of Champions League qualification before signing any new contract,” wrote the Italian press, while stressing the team’s confidence in his long-term commitment.
The club wants to reward him with a salary increase from $5m to $6.3m net per season, and it holds a unilateral option to extend his current deal — which runs until 2027 — for an additional year. Both sides, however, have approached the renewal with patience rather than tension. For Milan, Pulisic remains central to the project, and for the player, the Red and Blacks remain his first choice.
see also
Huge reinforcement on way for Christian Pulisic and Luka Modric? How Milan could land Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in January, all thanks to Santiago Gimenez
The turning point: Quiet but powerful development
And here the new twist enters. After weeks of reporting implying uncertainty, La Gazzetta dello Sport offered a decisive shift in tone: “Talks will reopen in the coming weeks.” This is the encouraging update Milan and the Rossoneri faithful had been waiting for.
The club is “thrilled,” the newspaper notes, not only because of his performances but because he has become a “magnet for American fans” and a pillar in a squad reshaped by Allegri. The new agreement is expected to extend until 2030, a symbolic cementing of a partnership that has revitalized both player and club.
