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USMNT star gets big-money Premier League offer

He’s not always a starter but PSV striker Ricardo Pepi have an impressive scoring record in the Eredivisie this season.

Will Ricardo Pepi leave PSV this year?
MAURICE VAN STEENAFP

European soccer’s January transfer window is drawing to a close and clubs have until Monday, January 3 to complete any deals that are still in the pipeline. We’re expecting a late rush with many big teams still looking to bolster their squads and one USMNT international could soon be on the move.

PSV striker Ricardo Pepi was reportedly the subject of a $26 million bid from Premier League side West Ham United. The offer was declined by the Dutch club but they may receive an improved bid in the coming days.

GOAL reports that the initial bid was a loan-to-buy deal that would seen Pepi move on loan initially, before West Ham sign him on a permanent transfer.

Will Ricardo Pepi leave PSV this year?

Back in November AS USA reported that teams in France, Italy, Spain and England were pursuing Pepi, who only recently turned 22. He has hit 18 goals in 29 appearances for PSV this year, most of which have come from the bench as veteran forward Luuk de Jong has been preferred to start.

He has already experienced a lot in his young career, impressing for FC Dallas in MLS before making the move to FC Augsburg in Germany. That move didn’t work out for a young Pepi but a productive spell with FC Groningen convinced Dutch giants PSV to sign him on a five-year contract. He still has three and a half years remaining on that deal but Pepi has admitted that he is aware of mounting transfer interest.

“It’s just like such a normal thing now,” Pepi said in a recent interview. “You know if you’re performing or if you’re trying to get away for a loan or something like that, they’ll be there. I think I’ve just made it a part of life already. That’s the life that I live

“Of course, there are going to be rumors of you going on, but at the same time, rumors can also affect your head a little bit. I just try to stay off, avoid distractions... If my agent doesn’t tell me that there’s a deal or that there’s interest, I don’t pay attention to it. I like to just keep things very compact in terms of information, so I can just focus on the main goal, which is performing on the pitch.”

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