Chelsea 'offered' Christian Pulisic in stunning $108m transfer swap move

Chelsea transfer news: The Blues had a plan to offload their USMNT star last summer in a move to failed

Chelsea's summer escapades were well documented last year with Todd Boehly embarking on a whirlwind tour of Europe as interim sporting director. In the co-owner's first transfer window he left no stone unturned in a bid to make a name for himself and get business done for the club.

Of their big money signings, only Fofana has so far been close to a success, even Raheem Sterling's double against Nottingham Forest cannot change that. There was more to the window behind the scenes, though. Jude Bellingham, Frenkie de Jong, Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt were all strongly linked.

In what wasn't uncommon at the time, Boehly offered Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic to Milan as part of a swap deal to bring Leo to London. It is said that he was valued at £86.5m ($108m) by the club, ruling out the release clause, but they were keen to move on their overpaid and underperforming assets as well as bringing in a new one.

Ziyech and Pulisic both had attention from elsewhere and were close to transfers away at several points but nothing was agreed. They now look set to exit the club this summer instead after another disappointing season at Stamford Bridge. There is no feeling that a swap deal for Leao would be possible anymore, though.

It is also reported that Chelsea saw Leao as a potential striker option for the team, a hint as to where they felt improvement was needed throughout. The same can still be said with a centre forward still at the top of their summer list, though Leao is not likely to be that man.

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