Ricardo Pepi’s proposed summer transfer to Fulham is in doubt after talks with PSV Eindhoven broke down last week.
The USMNT forward travelled to London for a medical and negotiations with the Premier League side, aimed at sealing a move which would be processed when the English transfer window opens in June.
“Ricardo really wanted this,” PSV sporting director Ernie Stewart told ESPN. “It is an unpleasant situation, especially for Ricardo. We are, of course, happy that we are retaining a good striker.”
Sources with knowledge of the deal say Fulham had concerns over the player’s medical, although PSV sources deny there is a medical issue and point to the fact that he started their Eredivisie game against Telstar on Sunday before linking-up with the USMNT squad for their upcoming friendlies.
“Ultimately, no agreement was reached regarding the moment responsibility for the player would be transferred,” Stewart explained.
Stewart, who was previously U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, said PSV wanted an agreement to commit Fulham to signing the 23-year-old from this month onwards in a deal worth £34.5million (€40m, $46.3m). Fulham, he said, were keen on the transfer but wished to retain the option to walk away if he was injured between now and the end of the season.
“We were, of course, already in talks with Fulham during the winter break when they came just before the transfer window closed,” Stewart said. “We couldn’t bring in a replacement anymore, so at that moment the transfer couldn’t go through. But a week later we got back in talks and the process got underway.
“That responsibility for the player was a very important detail that always played a role. And while we did get a bit closer to each other in that regard, ultimately we remained too far apart.”
The move could yet be resurrected at the end of the season and Stewart added the Dutch club would not rule out a move.
Sources with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect relationships, say that other English clubs are also monitoring Pepi, but contact with Fulham was the most advanced after they had first registered their interest 10 months ago.
Pepi’s USMNT team-mate Antonee Robinson currently plays for Fulham, which also counts the U.S.’s joint all-time leading goalscorer Clint Dempsey among its former players.
Pepi, who has 13 goals this term, has missed 13 games for PSV this season through injury and suffered a broken arm in January, from which he returned in February.