Fulham ‘close in on’ £28.5m deal for Ricardo Pepi | OneFootball

Fulham are closing in on a £28.5 million deal for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, with the Sunderland-linked forward poised for a Premier League move.

BBC Sport reports that Pepi arrived in London on Wednesday to complete a medical at Craven Cottage and finalise the switch. Fulham tried to sign the 23-year-old in January, but PSV chose to keep him for the rest of the season.

The Cottagers are now expected to tie up a contract running to 2031. Marco Silva’s side are understood to be seeking attacking reinforcements, with Raul Jimenez nearing contract expiry. Sunderland held interest during January, though nothing materialised.

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

Eindhovens Dagblad reports that PSV wanted to cash in early to fund reinforcements and to plan the summer with clarity. It adds that, despite his scoring record, elements of Pepi’s off-ball work no longer fit their long-term model, and that the player pushed to leave with a preference for London once Fulham matched their valuation.

Source: Sunderland Echo