USMNT’s Ricardo Pepi Fulham move in doubt after PSV talks collapse | OneFootball

Ricardo Pepi’s proposed summer transfer to Fulham is in doubt after talks with PSV Eindhoven collapsed last week. The USMNT forward had travelled to London for a medical and negotiations ahead of a move to be processed when the English window opens in June.

"Ricardo really wanted this. It is an unpleasant situation, especially for Ricardo. We are, of course, happy that we are retaining a good striker," PSV sporting director Ernie Stewart said. He told ESPN.

"Ultimately, no agreement was reached regarding the moment responsibility for the player would be transferred."

"We were, of course, already in talks with Fulham during the winter break when they came just before the transfer window closed. We couldn’t bring in a replacement anymore, so at that moment the transfer couldn’t go through. But a week later we got back in talks and the process got underway."

"That responsibility for the player was a very important detail that always played a role. And while we did get a bit closer to each other in that regard, ultimately we remained too far apart."

The agreement discussed was worth £34.5million (€40m, $46.3m) for the 23-year-old, and PSV had wanted commitment from this month while Fulham sought flexibility if he were injured before season end.

The move could yet be revisited after the season, and PSV are not ruling it out. Antonee Robinson is currently at Fulham, and Clint Dempsey is among their former players. Pepi has 13 goals this term, missed 13 games through injury and returned in February after a broken arm in January.

Source: NY Times