12:02 am | January 2, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
Chelsea have signed Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for €64 million (£57.6m, $73.1m) and have loaned the United States international back to the Bundesliga club ahead of him moving to the Premier League next summer.
ESPN FC reported on Dec. 29 that Chelsea made a bid of more than £50 million for Pulisic, who has been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich among others.
But Chelsea have moved quickly to tie up a deal for the 20-year-old whose contract with Dortmund was due to expire in 2020.
“It has always been Christian’s big dream to play in Premier League,” Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said in a club statement. “This certainly has something to do with his American origin and thus we were not able to prolong his contract.
“Because of this background and with his contract running down in 2020, we decided to accept Chelsea’s incredibly lucrative offer.
“Christian Pulisic has a flawless character. I am sure he’ll will do all he can in the coming months to contribute his big qualities to the squad and achieve Borussia Dortmund’s sporting goals with his teammates.”
Dortmund ruled out selling the U.S. attacking midfielder in the January transfer window, but sources told ESPN FC he would be allowed to leave the club in six months’ time subject to an acceptable transfer fee.
However, Chelsea’s offer to complete the move now and loan him back for the remainder of the season convinced Dortmund to agree a deal.
Pulisic assured BVB he would not run down his contract, but Dortmund were aware he had his heart set on leaving Germany.
Since moving to Dortmund in 2016, Pulisic has made 80 appearances but lost his regular starting place under Lucien Favre this campaign as the club were crowned winter champions in Germany.
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