Fulham are locked in advanced negotiations with PSV Eindhoven to sign United States international Ricardo Pepi.
Reports suggest a formal £28million bid is now on the table which doesn’t fall too far short of their asking price.
Marco Silva is determined to land the 23-year-old striker to lead the line at Craven Cottage, viewing him as the long-term successor to Raul Jimenez.
While PSV have remained firm on their valuation throughout the winter, the latest offer from West London is understood to be within touching distance.
Pepi Nears Premier League Switch Despite Injury Layoff
The “prolific” American has been a revelation in the Netherlands this season, netting 11 goals across all competitions including three in the Champions League.
His form has made him one of the most coveted young forwards in Europe, and Fulham appear to have beaten off interest from Germany and Italy to move to the front of the queue.
Remarkably, Fulham’s pursuit has not been deterred by a recent injury.
Pepi is currently sidelined with a broken arm sustained during a victory over Excelsior earlier this month.
However, medical briefings suggest the striker is ahead of schedule in his recovery and could be back on the pitch within three weeks.
For Silva, the chance to secure Pepi’s signature now and avoid a bidding war in the summer outweighs the short-term fitness concerns.
His potential arrival could also soften the blow as interest rises in Harry Wilson who is out of contract in the summer.
Closing the Gap: The Fine Print of the £28m bid
Sources close to the deal indicate that while PSV initially held out for a figure north of £30m, the structure of Fulham’s package has brought both parties to the negotiating table.
The deal is expected to include several performance-related add-ons that would see the total fee eventually meet the Dutch champions’ expectations.
Rodrigo Muniz is still recovering from major hamstring surgery and Jimenez is entering the final months of his contract.
So Pepi is viewed as a “priority acquisition” who fits the club’s recent recruitment strategy of buying high-upside talent under the age of 25.
Fulham Lead Chase For Oscar Bobb
The pursuit of Pepi is only half of a sensational double-deal being worked on by Fulham.
The Londoners are also in advanced discussions with Manchester City for Norwegian sensation Oscar Bobb.
Reports suggest Bobb has already “said yes” to a move to London after finding his path to the City first team blocked by the January arrival of Antoine Semenyo.
Fulham remain in pole position to sign the 22-year-old, despite late interest from Tottenham and Newcastle.
The addition of Bobb alongside Pepi would represent a staggering £60m+ investment in the Cottager’ attack, signalling their intent to turn their current 7th-place standing into a genuine European charge.
