Fulham’s pursuit of Ricardo Pepi is causing shockwaves across European football, not just in the Premier League.
In the Netherlands, Ronald de Boer has reacted with open disbelief. PSV Eindhoven are preparing to sell the American striker for a deal that could reach €40m including bonuses.
Reports indicate that Fulham have now agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven for the striker. The breakthrough follows months of negotiations, including an unsuccessful attempt during the January transfer window.
A deal at that point was blocked by the Dutch side, but negotiations have continued behind the scenes since. Now Pepi appears destined for his big-money move. For the former Dutch international, the fee is about more than money, it symbolises a widening financial gap.
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“We can no longer compete”
“Fulham, right? Almost €40m,” he said on Ziggo Sport, relayed by PSV Inside.
“Fulham can already sign strikers for these kind of amounts. We can no longer compete with that. It is unbelievable.”
Premier League spending leaves Europe behind
The frustration reflects a wider reality: the Premier League’s financial power is stretching the gap to other leagues to breaking point.
Even clubs outside England’s traditional elite can now outspend major European sides without blinking.
This season alone, nine of Europe’s ten biggest spending clubs come from the Premier League. That group includes Nottingham Forest, as well as newly promoted Sunderland.
They sit ahead of traditional European giants, such as AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus. In fact, 12 of the top 20 spending clubs in Europe come from the Premier League. Even Wolves, facing relegation, rank among Europe’s biggest spenders.
“Look, Fulham are doing well,” De Boer added. “But we are talking about Fulham. They can also pay astronomical sums these days.”
Why players still want the Premier League
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
Despite his concerns, De Boer understands exactly why Pepi is tempted. The Premier League remains the ultimate destination, the league where careers accelerate and salaries soar.
“The Premier League is still the best league in the world. They can do whatever they want,” he concluded.
Now Fulham have matched their ambition with some big spending of their own. Across Europe, the same question is being asked: how can anyone compete with the Premier League?
If deals like this become the norm, future transfer windows may only deepen the divide, leaving even Europe’s biggest clubs struggling to keep pace with mid‑table Premier League spending.
🇮🇹 Pervis Estupinan | West Ham and Fulham line up for fullback rescue ➡️ Return to PL, suits Hammers mosthttps://t.co/dONQJEY4Gh #whufc #ffc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 10, 2026