Milan's San Siro Shocker: Loftus-Cheek Stretchered Off as Pulisic Eyes Arsenal Exit
AC Milan fell 1-0 at home to Parma, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek hospitalised after a head clash, widening the gap to leaders Inter to 10 points. Christian Pulisic started but couldn't salvage it, amid reports Milan have paused his contract talks due to Arsenal interest – they're after him for €75m. The US star is open to a Premier League return as transfer whispers intensify.
Picture this: a packed San Siro, AC Milan desperate to claw back ground on Inter, and then... bam. A 1-0 loss to Parma that leaves the Rossoneri reeling. It wasn't just the late heartbreak; it was the sight of Ruben Loftus-Cheek being carted off on a stretcher that turned stomachs.
Parma's Late Sting and Milan's Woes
Milan hosted Parma on Sunday, eyeing a cut into Inter's lead. But Mariano Troilo had other ideas, nodding home a corner in the 80th minute. VAR flipped an initial offside call, and suddenly, the underdogs had three wins on the bounce, sitting pretty in 12th.
Christian Pulisic shook off rust to start up top for the home side, but it was all for naught. Milan had already dropped points in a midweek 1-1 draw with Como, and now Inter – fresh off a 2-0 win at Lecce – sit 10 points clear after seven straight league victories. Ouch.
Parma boss Carlos Cuesta was all class post-match, sending thoughts to the injured Loftus-Cheek. But for Milan fans, it's another chapter in a season slipping away.
Loftus-Cheek's Nasty Nudge
Ten minutes in, disaster struck. Loftus-Cheek, the 30-year-old Englishman and ex-Chelsea powerhouse, clashed heads with Parma keeper Edoardo Corvi chasing a cross. Blood everywhere, neck brace on, stretcher out – it was grim viewing.
Italian hacks reckon he's got busted teeth and they're checking for head knocks. The ex-Blues midfielder, who's been a rock in midfield, now faces a hospital stint. Milan's medical team will be sweating bullets; losing him could be massive.
Pulisic's Premier League Pull – Arsenal in Pole Position?
Amid the chaos, Pulisic grabs headlines for all the wrong reasons at the San Siro. The USMNT star, who's bagged 42 goals in 126 games since joining in 2023, might be Milan-bound no more. Contract runs to 2027, but talks for an extension? On ice.
Italian journo Marco Varini spilled the beans on X: Milan want €75m (£65m) to ship him to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are keen, and sources say Captain America fancies a Premier League return – who wouldn't after Chelsea's Champions League glory in 2021?
TEAMtalk insider Graeme Bailey flagged Arsenal's interest back in February, with Liverpool, Man Utd, and even struggling Spurs sniffing around. But Gunners look favourites now. Milan gaffer Massimiliano Allegri deploys him as a second striker or even No.9, and assistant Marco Landucci called him a 'sniper' last year. 26 goals, 21 assists at Chelsea – he's got pedigree.
For Arsenal, it's a coup if they land him. Milan, meanwhile, are weighing options after a ropey campaign. Will an official bid land? Watch this space.
Milan's day was a proper gut-punch: defeat, injury, and transfer tittle-tattle. Inter fans are chuckling into their aperitifs, but for the Rossoneri, it's time to regroup. Fancy a pint to drown sorrows?