Peter Bosz ‘happy’ for Ricardo Pepi to stay at PSV after Fulham bids | OneFootball

Peter Bosz is content for Ricardo Pepi to remain at PSV as the champions begin their Eredivisie defence this weekend.

“I was a bit surprised that his transfer during the last season to Fulham wasn’t working out,” said Peter Bosz, speaking to The Athletic. “So obviously I’m happy to have a real goalscorer in my team, because that’s what he is.”

PSV host Fortuna Sittard on Saturday, a week after a 4-0 Johan Cruyff Shield defeat to AZ Alkmaar, a game Pepi did not play.

Pepi twice came close to joining Fulham, in January and again on a pre-agreed summer deal. PSV never sought to sell and he is contracted until 2030. Fulham have since signed Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid for £34 million, while other suitors have yet to approach PSV.

The January move fell through on deadline day because PSV made it contingent on finding a replacement. The summer agreement included contingencies around a potential injury before processing, and it also fell away.

Pepi, 23, has 27 goals in 2,105 minutes across the last two seasons for PSV. He was set to be first-choice after Luuk de Jong left, but a fractured arm cost him game time. PSV’s title means direct entry to the Champions League league phase, and Pepi has six goals in 20 appearances, behind Christian Pulisic with 12 and Weston McKennie with 11.

Source: NY Times

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”