Premier League side set to seal March deal with forward in for medical

March 20, 2026 Oliver Obel

Fulham are closing in on a deal for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, reviving a move that had stalled during the January transfer window.

The Premier League club had previously seen a late bid rejected, but negotiations appear to have progressed in recent weeks. According to BBC Sport, Pepi has travelled to London to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed transfer. ESPN has also reported that PSV have accepted an offer worth around £28.5 million, with personal terms not expected to present any issues.

Fulham were relatively quiet in January, completing only the signing of Oscar Bobb from Manchester City. However, strengthening the forward line has remained a priority. Raul Jimenez is approaching the end of his contract, while Rodrigo Muniz has struggled for consistency, scoring once in an injury-disrupted 2025/26 campaign.

The club had submitted a bid of roughly £28 million for Pepi late in the winter window, but PSV declined to proceed at the time, in part because they had limited opportunity to secure a replacement before the deadline. The Dutch side’s position now appears to have shifted, allowing discussions to resume.

Reports suggest that, even if the deal is finalised soon, Pepi would not join Fulham immediately and is instead expected to link up with the squad after the World Cup.

Pepi, 23, has been a key contributor for PSV this season. He has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions, including three in five Champions League matches, helping the club maintain its position at the top of the Eredivisie.

The striker’s development has taken him from North Texas FC to FC Dallas, where he scored 13 goals in 31 matches during the 2021 season and was named MLS Young Player of the Year. A move to Augsburg followed, along with a loan spell at Groningen, where he scored 12 times in the 2022/23 campaign. Since joining PSV, he has recorded 39 goals in 95 appearances.

On the international stage, Pepi has scored 13 goals in 32 appearances for the United States. He is expected to be part of the squad for the upcoming World Cup on home soil and could feature in scheduled friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, as Mauricio Pochettino continues preparations with his side.

Sources: BBC Sport, ESPN