The world is mad: Reports link Christian Pulisic to NYCFC (it will not happen) | OneFootball

New York City FC fans are focused on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but many are also thinking about the secondary transfer window. It is obvious that the team needs defensive help and to sign a striker, or at least a goal-scoring player. It should be a busy summer, but fans truly do not know what the club will do. There have been too many transfer windows over the years where signings were needed, and they were not made.

Nevertheless, rumors are expected, as is the case for every transfer window. But why is Christian Pulisic, the United States men's national team's biggest star, being linked to NYCFC?

According to reports, specifically La Gazzetta dello Sport from Italy, the forward is being linked to both the Queens team and Associazione Sportiva Roma. The newspaper is reporting that City Football Group, the majority owner of NYCFC, is interested in the American star, and they want him to join the Major League Soccer side.

Christian Pulisic is not signing with NYCFC

While a move to Roma would make sense, the idea of him leaving Associazione Calcio Milan, a club that he has arguably had the best years of his career so far, is kind of insane. He had one bad stretch, struggling to score during half of the Italian side's recent season, and suddenly these rumors came to the surface. But AC Milan believes he is someone to build around and would not let him leave.

In other words, the reported link to NYCFC can be buried, for he is staying put. But why would Pulisic leave Europe at this time? He is at the height of his career and is playing well, excluding his recent struggles leading up to the World Cup. Plus, if he were to leave Milan, then he would go to another European club.

Plus, why would he want to come to MLS right now? The league will still be there in a few years. If this were the 2030 World Cup, then a link to NYCFC would make sense. But now? That is mad thinking. Plus, such a move would be a very expensive one. It would be smarter for an MLS team to get him on a free move down the road.

Also, there are still many who believe that only those who play outside of MLS should play for the USMNT. Matt Freese and Matt Turner definitely know about this. Heading to MLS now could change the way some fans view Pulisic.

And, while many admire the star, if NYCFC wants to sign a big-name player for when they move into Etihad Park next summer, then they need to find someone who would bring fans of the game, but not MLS, to the stadium. Pulisic might sell a few more tickets, but he would unlikely make a significant dent in increasing the number of NYCFC supporters.

Currently, this would not be a good move for either the player or the club. And, more than likely, there is nothing substantial to these reports. City Football Group is smart, and knows the USMNT star would not leave Europe quite yet. In addition, such a move would not be smart economically. And if he were to leave Milan, then the Italian team would not let him leave for free when his contract is up. More than likely, they would sell him to a team like Roma. But again, he is viewed as someone who is a part of the football project.

These links are nothing but words. NYCFC will hopefully bring in new players this summer, but ones that make sense for the team. And Pulisic will spend at least a few more years across the sea. Maybe, one day, he will make his way to MLS. But now? It would be delusional to think anything other than no.