Sunderland were credited with an interest in Ricardo Pepi during the January transfer window
Fulham are closing in on a £28.5 million deal to sign Sunderland-linked striker Ricardo Pepi, according to reports.
The Black Cats were credited with an interest in the PSV Eindhoven star during the January transfer window, but the speculation ultimately failed to come to fruition, and instead, it would appear that their Premier League rivals have pushed ahead with an agreement.
As per BBC Sport, Pepi is set for a medical at Craven Cottage, and arrived in London on Wednesday to iron out the final details of his move to England. Fulham had made a similar attempt to sign the 23-year-old in January, but failed to prise him away from PSV after his current employers decided that they wanted to keep him for the remainder of the season.
The Cottagers now look to be on the cusp of finalising a transfer for Pepi, however, with the player expected to put pen to paper on a deal in the capital that will run until 2031. Marco Silva’s men are understood to be in the market for reinforcements at the point of attack, with experienced striker Raul Jimenez - who has scored twice against Sunderland this season - out of contract in the coming months.
For his part, Pepi, a 34-cap USA international, has scored 13 goals in 29 club appearances this season, including three in five Champions League matches. He is expected to feature prominently at this summer’s North American World Cup too.
Earlier this year, both Fulham and Sunderland were touted as admirers of the forward, alongside fellow Premier League sides, Everton, Leeds United, and West Ham. It has long since been suggested that Pepi himself was open to the prospect of a transfer to England.
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Why have PSV Eindhoven chosen to sell Ricardo Pepi to Fulham now?
In terms of the reasoning behind PSV’s sale, Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagblad, as relayed by Soccer News, has identified four key factors. Firstly, it is claimed that the Eredivisie side wanted to cash in early to ensure that they had funds secured to reinforce their own squad as soon as the transfer market reopens.
Similarly, it is claimed that with the Pepi fee banked, PSV can plan their summer with clarity. Interestingly, Elfrink has also stated that while the American’s goal-scoring credentials are in no doubt, PSV believe other aspects of his all-round game, including his work off the ball, do not fully align with their long-term tactical model anymore.
And finally, as alluded to previously, there is an understanding that the player himself has pushed for an exit, and was particularly keen on the prospect of moving to London. As such, once Fulham met PSV’s valuation, the Dutch outfit were happy to respect his wishes.
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