Chelsea look to have won the battle to sign 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund prospect Christian Pulisic.

The American-born winger, who stood out for his country against England on Thursday night, is out of contract in 2020 and Dortmund have now accepted they must cash in on him at the end of this season – having previously attempted to open contract negotiations.

Chelsea, however, are in a hurry and will push for the deal to be done in January – particularly with the threat of a transfer ban from FIFA looming, over their alleged recruitment of under-age players.

Christian Pulisic was a stand-out performer for USA against England on Thursday night

Pulisic has been at Borussia Dortmund for four years but is refusing to discuss a new contract

CHRISTIAN PULISIC Age: 20 Born: Pennsylvania, USA Teams: Borussia Dortmund - 107 apps 15 goals United States - 22 caps 9 goals Advertisement

Pulisic is one of the rising stars of the Bundesliga, and Dortmund have been the front-runners in German football this season, culminating in a win over Bayern Munich on November 10.

But Pulisic hasn’t always been able to get in the team with the emergence of Jadon Sancho in his wide position. Sancho was preferred to him in the 3-2 victory over Munich and played 90 minutes. Pulisic was an unused substitute.

He has been at the club since the age of 16 but is now refusing to engage in contract talks, prompting Dortmund’s decision to cash in, despite the promise of this campaign.

There had been talk of a price in the region of £70m previously, but that may have come down with the prospect of losing him for nothing in 2020.

Pulisic has struggled for game time this season with Jadon Sancho (R) hitting his best form

Just earlier this week Pulisic said he was open to a move to the Premier League – and Sportsmail understands Chelsea have got in swiftly ahead of rivals including Liverpool and Tottenham.

Pulisic would be an addition to the squad, not a replacement for any individual. His recruitment would not make it any more likely that Eden Hazard will leave for Real Madrid.

‘England, the Premier League, is where lots of kids dream of playing so there is no reason why one day I won’t play here,’ Pulisic said before England’s match with the United States.

‘We are having a great year at Dortmund and I am enjoying every moment of that. Then when the time comes for me to talk in the breaks about my future, that’s when those things will happen.’