Fulham ‘closing in’ on £28.5m deal for Sunderland-linked Ricardo Pepi | OneFootball

Fulham are closing in on a £28.5m deal to sign Sunderland-linked striker Ricardo Pepi from PSV Eindhoven.

BBC Sport reports that Pepi is set for a medical at Craven Cottage, having arrived in London on Wednesday to finalise details. Fulham tried to land the 23-year-old in January, but PSV chose to keep him for the remainder of the season.

The move is expected to include a contract in the capital running until 2031. They are understood to be seeking attacking reinforcements, with Raul Jimenez out of contract in the coming months after scoring twice against Sunderland this season.

Pepi, a 34-cap USA international, has 13 goals in 29 club appearances this season, including three in five in the Champions League. He is also expected to feature prominently at this summer’s North American World Cup.

Both Fulham and Sunderland were credited with interest earlier this year, alongside Everton, Leeds United and West Ham. It has long been suggested that Pepi was open to a move to England.

Eindhovens Dagblad reports that PSV wanted to cash in early to fund reinforcements and plan their summer, felt parts of Pepi’s off-ball work no longer matched their long-term model, and that the player pushed for a London move, so once Fulham met their valuation they respected his wishes.

Source: Sunderland Echo