Liverpool and Man City sent warning over 'incredible' forward, director says no plans for January sale
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Beyond the obvious financial profit, it is difficult to see any upside of a title-chasing club selling such a key player to Premier League giants Liverpool or Manchester City in the January transfer window.
In truth, it is also difficult to see the advantages a change of scenery would offer the player himself.
Ricardo Pepi, despite his fine run of form in front of goal at PSV Eindhoven, remains firmly second-choice in Peter Bosz’s pecking order. Veteran targetman Luuk de Jong has limited Pepi to only four Eredivisie starts so far this season for the Dutch champions.
Opportunities would obviously be even harder to come by, then, at one of his English-based suitors.
Yet, despite his rather irregular appearances, TBR can confirm that Ricardo Pepi is on the radars of Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea.
Liverpool are long-time admirers of the American international too, having looked at Pepi before he made that surprising and ill-fated £17 million switch from FC Dallas to Augsburg nearly three years ago.
PSV have no plans to sell Liverpool and Man City target Ricardo Pepi
Pepi did not find the net even once in the Bundesliga. In stark contrast, his goals-per-minutes record in Dutch football is nothing short of outstanding.
In those four Eredivisie starts, Pepi has hit the net nine times across 2024/25. In all competitions, meanwhile, he has 10 in 17. Pepi followed up a hat-trick against Groningen last weekend with a dramatic late winner as PSV came from 2-0 down to beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
And, in the aftermath, PSV’s director of football Earnest Stewart was quizzed about the speculation linking Pepi with four of England’s most deep-pocketed clubs.
“Pepi was brought in knowing that he has the potential to be a very good player, who is incredible when he is around the penalty area,” Stewart says on the De Rood Wit Podcast. “He is so deadly.”
Stewart admits that PSV have no plans to cash in on Pepi. But, on the other hand, every player has their price. And it is simply the harsh reality of Dutch football that even the traditional ‘big three’ of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord are often powerless to prevent the departure of key players when presented with substantial sums of mney.
“Selling is not the intention. That is not the intention for any player. But football is also football. Ultimately, everyone is for sale”, Stewart admits.
“I am employed by PSV. And I have to ensure that PSV performs, not only today but also in the future. Money also has [something] to do with that, because we have to make a good sale every year. I have to guarantee that, too.
“But it is not the intention to [sell anyone] during the winter break.”
Ricardo Pepi likens himself to Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland
Given the remarkable array of attacking talents at Arne Slot’s disposal, another frontman is not something that really jumps off the page when discussing any shortcomings in Liverpool’s squad.
TBR have been told, however, that Liverpool view Pepi in a similar vein to another talented young forward under consideration; Lyon winger Rayan Cherki. Both Pepi and Cherki have admirers at Anfield, though Liverpool are keen to see how they develop and whether their vast potential can really be fulfilled.
Pepi, meanwhile, likens himself to Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland. If Man City were to secure the Texan-born 21-year-old, Pepi would likely act as an understudy to Haaland at the Etihad Stadium.
"There are players like Robert (Lewandowski) and Erling Haaland I compare my game to," Pepi told MLS Soccer back in 2021.
"I like to watch their movements and do some video work on them. Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world and I like to compare myself to him a lot."
Pepi is not the only PSV youngster with Premier League interest. TBR reports that Aston Villa and Tottenham like ex-Rangers loanee Malik Tillman.
He scored twice, including a thumping 25-yard screamer, in that Shakhtar win.
