PSV Eindhoven Wiretap

Ricardo Pepi's anticipated move to Fulham has collapsed after PSV Eindhoven and the Premier League club failed to resolve a critical contractual dispute, PSV announced Saturday. The two clubs could not agree on when responsibility for the player would formally transfer, with Fulham seeking the ability to withdraw from the deal before the summer window opened in the event of an injury.

"In the end, no agreement was reached on the moment when responsibility for the player would be transferred," PSV director of football affairs Earnest Stewart said.

ESPN reported last week that Fulham had a bid of approximately $46 million accepted by PSV. Pepi subsequently traveled to London to undergo a medical with the club. Fulham had also pursued the 23-year-old American striker in January, but that move stalled over a valuation gap and PSV's inability to secure a replacement in time.

Stewart acknowledged the failed transfer is particularly difficult for the player.

"Ricardo really wanted this move," Stewart said. "It's mainly a frustrating situation for Ricardo. Of course, we're happy to keep a good striker at the club."

Pepi has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions this season for PSV, who lead the Dutch Eredivisie by 16 points. He returned from a broken arm suffered in January to score twice in four games since his comeback.

Stewart did not rule out a future agreement between the clubs.

"If a player can make a good move and it's also good for the club, then we'll go for it," he said.

Pepi holds 13 goals in 34 appearances for the U.S. men's national team and is included in Mauricio Pochettino's squad for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.

Fulham have submitted a $38 million offer to PSV Eindhoven for United States international striker Ricardo Pepi. The Premier League club is pursuing the forward despite a broken forearm that will sideline him for approximately two months.

Sources indicated that PSV are seeking a transfer fee closer to $41 million to release the 23-year-old striker. Pepi has delivered eight goals across 15 Eredivisie matches this season before sustaining the injury in early January.

"All signs were green for a strong second half of the season, so this is incredibly disappointing. First and foremost for him and obviously for us as well," PSV manager Peter Bosz said following Pepi's injury earlier this month.

The American forward has established himself as a reliable goal scorer since joining PSV in 2023. He has recorded 26 goals in 60 appearances for the Dutch club while adding three Champions League goals in five matches this campaign.

Pepi began his professional career with FC Dallas before moves to Augsburg and Groningen preceded his PSV transfer. The striker has also contributed 13 goals in 34 appearances for the United States men's national team.

Manager Marco Silva's pursuit of attacking reinforcements comes as Fulham navigate a striker shortage. Rodrigo Muniz remains unavailable after undergoing hamstring surgery in November, while veteran Raul Jimenez faces an uncertain future with his contract expiring at season's end.

Silva confirmed that winger Adama Traore is expected to depart the club after being excluded from the squad for Saturday's 2-1 victory over Brighton. The Spanish winger's imminent exit further emphasizes Fulham's need for offensive additions.

Fulham have also held discussions with Manchester City winger Oscar Bobb, though those negotiations are not advancing significantly. The club continues exploring multiple options to strengthen their attacking options for the remainder of the season.

United States national team forward Ricardo Pepi will miss approximately two months with a forearm fracture sustained against Excelsior Rotterdam on Saturday. PSV Eindhoven confirmed the 23-year-old will undergo surgery on Sunday.

Pepi scored PSV's second goal in the 23rd minute but landed awkwardly and required immediate substitution. The Dutch club won 5-1 despite losing their leading scorer.

Pepi has attracted recent transfer interest as Premier League side Fulham had a bid worth $35 million rejected last month. The Athletic reported in December that another bid was expected with other teams also expressing interest. Pepi is under contract with PSV until 2030.

The striker has made 21 appearances this season with 11 goals and two assists as PSV sit 14 points clear of Feyenoord atop the Eredivisie. The forearm fracture marks his second significant injury in as many seasons after a serious knee injury ruled him out for six months during the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign.

Pepi has made 34 senior international appearances for the United States, scoring 13 goals. He most recently appeared in a November friendly against Paraguay.

The forward initially broke through at Major League Soccer club FC Dallas before spells at German side Augsburg and fellow Eredivisie club FC Groningen prior to joining PSV.

PSV Eindhoven rejected a $35 million bid from Fulham for United States international striker Ricardo Pepi, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. Another offer from the Premier League club is expected, with multiple teams interested in the 22-year-old forward.

Sources indicate Fulham is not alone in pursuing Pepi for a January transfer. Both Fulham and PSV declined comment when contacted by The Athletic.

Pepi has recorded 10 goals and two assists across 957 minutes in all competitions this season for the Dutch champions. Last season, he netted 18 goals in 1,132 minutes for PSV.

The striker signed a contract extension with PSV in February that runs through June 2030. He has earned 13 goals in 34 appearances for the U.S. men's national team.

Fulham sits 10th in the Premier League with 26 points after 18 matches. Winger Harry Wilson leads the club with five league goals, while Mexico international Raul Jimenez has scored four times.

Jimenez's contract expires in June. Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz remains sidelined with injury, leaving Fulham thin at the forward position.

Pepi has scored in five of his last six appearances despite recovering from a six-month knee injury. The 6-foot-1 striker has compiled 37 goals in 32 full matches since joining PSV.

"His athleticism and rangy running style ensure he will be a solid fit for the end-to-end style of the Premier League, while his sense of anticipation and finishing ability mean that he could hit the ground running," Harris wrote in The Athletic's analysis.

Pepi joined PSV after excelling on loan at FC Groningen from Augsburg, which acquired him from FC Dallas in 2022.

PSV has rejected a $26 million initial bid from West Ham for United States forward Ricardo Pepi. West Ham could make another offer as they are in the market for a striker ahead of the January transfer deadline following injuries to Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug.

Pepi has 18 goals in 25 games in all competitions this season. Pepi also has 13 goals in 33 games for the USMNT, where he has been a regular fixture ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Sergino Dest will return to Barcelona after PSV Eindhoven declined to exercise their option to sign him permanently. 

Dest, 23, has been a mainstay in the PSV side this season as they won the Eredivisie.

Dest tore his ACL in training last month and faces an extended recovery. 

The Champions League group stage is complete with all four clubs from Spain advancing to the knockout rounds compared to three apiece from Germany and Italy and just two from England.

The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Monday.

Spain: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Real Sociedad
Germany: Bayern Munich, Dortmund, RB Leipzig
Italy: Lazio, Inter Milan, Napoli
England: Arsenal, Manchester City
Denmark: Copenhagen
France: Paris Saint-Germain
Portugal: Porto
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven

Sergino Dest has joined PSV Eindhoven on a season-long loan from Barcelona. 

Dest have an €11 million ($12 million) option to make the move permanent next summer.

After spending last season on loan at AC Milan, Dest returned to Barca in the summer with the intention of making a place for himself in Xavi Hernandez's squad.

U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Earnie Stewart is leaving his post to join PSV Eindhoven after the departure of men's national team general manager Brian McBride, a management shakeup that leaves the position of men's coach Gregg Berhalter in uncertainty.

Berhalter and McBride were hired by Stewart.

"While we are sad to see Earnie go, he has helped lay a strong foundation and build a strong sporting staff to ensure that the future of U.S. Soccer is bright," U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement.

"Today, we have a unique opportunity to bring in a new Sporting Director to build on this momentum. We are eager to engage new leaders who will match our ambitions and realize our vision for the future, taking our National Teams to the next level, including competing for a FIFA World Cup on home soil in 2026."

Liverpool have agreed to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for $45 million, beating out Manchester United in the process. 

The Dutch club said in a statement: "PSV and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement on the proposed transfer of Cody Gakpo. The 23-year-old attacker will leave for England imminently where he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer."

Gakpo, 23, emerged as a star of the World Cup in Qatar by scoring three goals for the Netherlands before their quarterfinal elimination at the hands of eventual champions Argentina.