Pulisic part of Chelsea summer exodus plans

Christian Pulisic is set to lead a summer clearout at Chelsea as the Blues continue a radical overhaul of their squad, sources have told ESPN.

Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club last May, Chelsea have made 16 permanent signings and brought in two more players on loan (Denis Zakaria and Joao Felix) at a total expense of more than €600 million -- including the British-record €121m signing of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.

SOC
Chelsea make Victor Osimhen top striker target for 2023

The recruitment drive has led to a bloated squad that the Blues will look to trim at the earliest opportunity, with Pulisic one of several players expected to be made available.

The United States international was open to leaving Stamford Bridge in January -- with Manchester United and Newcastle United among the clubs to have been sounded out over a deal -- but a knee injury scuppered any prospect of a move. Before his injury, Pulisic played 16 times in the Premier League but was named in the starting XI for only six games.

Pulisic's existing contract expires in June 2024 and there are no plans at present to offer an extension. Chelsea are expected to listen to offers for the 24-year-old and accept they will have to make a significant loss on the €64m paid to Borussia Dortmund to acquire the winger in 2019.

Hakim Ziyech is also likely to leave after a deadline day loan move to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed over paperwork issues, while striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang faces a bleak future at the club after being left out of Chelsea's Champions League squad.

MLS side LAFC are reportedly exploring a move for the 33-year-old, who could also attract summer interest from Spanish LaLiga clubs after his successful spell with Barcelona last year.

Sources have told ESPN that Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Callum Hudson-Odoi could also be made available, while they will cut their losses on €115m striker Romelu Lukaku (who is currently on loan at Inter Milan), and there is uncertainty over N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount as Chelsea attempt to get the pair to sign new contracts.