Ricardo Pepi’s big-money transfer to Fulham is currently off, according to PSV sporting director Earnie Stewart.
Multiple reports this week claimed the U.S. men’s national team forward would join Fulham in the summer for fee in the region of €40 million ($46m).
The deal appeared to be the culmination of Fulham’s months-long pursuit of the 23-year-old, who nearly joined the Cottagers in the winter.
However, Stewart said that the deal hit a snag over when Fulham would assume responsibility for Pepi. The Premier League side wanted to retain the ability to pull out of the deal if Pepi suffered an injury before the summer, which PSV would not agree to.
“In the end, no agreement was reached on the moment when responsibility for the player would be transferred,” Stewart said in quotes published on ESPN.
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“We were already in talks with Fulham during the winter break, when they made their move just before the transfer window closed. At that point, we couldn’t bring in a replacement anymore, so the transfer couldn’t go through. But a week later, we resumed discussions and the process got underway again.
“That issue of responsibility for the player was a very important detail throughout. We did get a bit closer on it, but in the end, we were still too far apart.”
Stewart added that Pepi was very disappointed to see a transfer he wanted fall apart yet again.
“Ricardo really wanted this move,” Stewart added. “It’s mainly a frustrating situation for Ricardo. Of course, we’re happy to keep a good striker at the club.”
Pepi has been one of the most lethal scorers in the Eredivisie since joining PSV. Though he has often come off the bench, the USMNT forward has scored 39 total goals for PSV across 95 appearances.
This season has seen Pepi become a regular starter for PSV when healthy, and he’s responded with 13 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions.Pepi was called up to the USMNT roster for the team’s upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ricardo Pepi transfer: Fulham move off, says PSV