Fulham transfer target Ricardo Pepi has had his say on his proposed move to Craven Cottage falling through. Fulham twice approached PSV Eindhoven but have twice failed to secure his signature.
Fulham transfer target Ricardo Pepi did not give much away on a potential move to west London, saying ‘whatever happens is going to happen.’
Pepi was twice the target of bids from Fulham, either side of the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old was first the subject of an offer during the winter transfer window, with Fulham beginning the process to bring in their next striker.
Pepi’s club, runaway Dutch leaders PSV Eindhoven, refused the initial offer as they did not feel they had time to secure a replacement.
The Cottagers were not done though, with Pepi a number one transfer target for Marco Silva’s men.
They came in again after the transfer window had closed, with a view to a summer move for the US international.
This time, PSV accepted that offer, and Pepi even travelled to London the following week for a medical.
He passed the medical and the teams prepared to sign all the necessary paperwork that would see Pepi become a Fulham player.
But there was a problem.
The two clubs could not decide on exactly when Pepi would become a Fulham player, and within that, there were further issues surrounding who would be responsible for him should he get injured.
And those two questions could not be answered by either club, causing the deal to be cancelled and Pepi’s move to Fulham was off for a second time.
It is expected that Fulham will go in for a third time in the summer, with the goal of attempting to make the move before the World Cup starts on June 11.
Pepi was asked how he felt about the situation during the USA’s international camp, in which he assisted for Patrick Agyemang’s consolation goal in a 5-2 defeat.
He said: ”To be honest, at the moment, I'm just focused on being back with the national team. It's been a minute.
“I’m just really focused on the next game and whatever happens is going to happen.”
It is clear to see why Fulham are interested in Pepi.
The Texas-born forward has now notched up over 10 goals in three of the past four seasons in the Eredivisie, and he appears physically ready to take on the Premier League challenge.
For now, it is a waiting game for both clubs, Pepi and the fans alike but this will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
If Pepi continues in this fashion for the rest of the season and into the World Cup, you can be sure other clubs will join the pursuit of Pepi, so Fulham may need to act fast to finally get the deal over the line.