EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 21: Ryan Flamingo, Couhaib Driouech, Dennis Man Ricardo Pepi of PSV during UEFA Champions League League Phase MD3 match between PSV and SSC Napoli
Fulham may be able to revive their efforts for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi before the World Cup, if they offer the right amount.
That’s according to De Telegraaf journalist Jeroen Kapteijns in the Kick-off podcast. Soccer News have covered his comments.
Fulham have been chasing the 23-year-old since last summer. It seems they see him as a potential long-term replacement for Raúl Jiménez.
Sport Witness have covered their efforts for months, including a renewed attempt in the January transfer window. Fulham returned for the striker at that point but were unable to convince PSV Eindhoven into a sale before deadline day.
Reports in the Netherlands have since stated that talks between Fulham and PSV are ongoing.
PSV Eindhoven technical director Earnest Stewart has also admitted that the money Marco Silva’s side offered seriously tempted them.
Fulham continue transfer efforts
Now Kapteijns reports that Fulham could be given their shot before the World Cup. Reports previously stated PSV would prefer to wait for a potential World Cup bonus.
“There’s a good chance PSV will still agree to sell him before the World Cup. That could be between €35-40m,” he said.
“If they reach a good agreement, including payment terms, then they might agree. We’ll also have to wait and see if Pepi doesn’t want to wait for the World Cup himself. He really wanted to in January.
“PSV is open to selling him early. This mainly has to do with their plans for next season. It’s very advantageous if you have plans for next season, so you can roll them out right away at the start of the transfer window.
“Once they’ve sold him, there’s money to do things right away. That was the case last year with Tillman.”
PSV plan for Fulham exit
Fellow journalist Valentijn Driessen agrees with his colleague, believing that PSV might have ‘something up their sleeve’.
“I think PSV has something up their sleeve,” he added.
“That’s why they’re willing to cooperate; they have another striker. Not Boadu, because you can’t win the war with that. They need money early to pry that striker loose. That’s why they’re willing to cooperate.”