Pulisic, the US forward, will remain at Dortmund for the rest of this season

Chelsea have moved quickly to counter a potential transfer ban and the possible loss of Eden Hazard next summer by signing Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for £57.6 million.

The club insisted that they had not recruited the 20-year-old American forward as a replacement for Hazard or because they were expecting to be hit with a Fifa transfer embargo — relating to allegations that they signed 14 youth players illegally — but the timing of Pulisic’s arrival ensures that they are covered for both eventualities.

Pulisic has signed a five-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge, but will spend the rest of this season on loan at Dortmund. He joined the Bundesliga leaders as a 16-year-old after his family relocated to Germany before being promoted to