Fulham ‘to finalise’ £28.5m deal for Ricardo Pepi after London arrival | OneFootball

Fulham are closing in on a £28.5m move for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, with the USA forward set for a medical after arriving in London on Wednesday, BBC Sport reports.

The Cottagers tried to land the 23-year-old in January, but PSV kept him for the rest of the season. He is now expected to sign a contract to 2031, and Fulham are understood to be seeking attacking reinforcements with Raul Jimenez, who has scored twice against Sunderland this season, out of contract in the coming months.

Sunderland were linked during the winter window, though that speculation came to nothing as their Premier League rivals pressed ahead.

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

Earlier this year, Fulham and Sunderland were among the clubs credited with interest alongside Everton, Leeds United and West Ham, and it was suggested the striker was open to a move to England.

As reported by Eindhovens Dagblad, PSV’s stance reflects four factors, including raising funds early to reinforce, clearer summer planning with the fee banked, doubts over aspects of Pepi’s off-ball fit, and the player’s desire to move to London once Fulham met their valuation.

Source: Sunderland Echo