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USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi, currently representing his country at the World Cup, finds himself at the centre of growing transfer speculation. With Premier League sides such as Fulham expressing renewed interest, former US international Kasey Keller has explained to GOAL why the PSV Eindhoven forward faces what he calls a “tricky” career decision. The 23-year-old, who scored 19 goals last season, reportedly drew attention from Fulham during the winter transfer window, and more approaches from England are expected now that the 2026 summer market has opened.

Fulham were close to completing a move for Pepi earlier this year, with reports suggesting that a deal worth over £30 million ($40 million) had been agreed following a medical in west London. However, the Premier League side eventually withdrew, seeking an opt-out clause ahead of the summer transfer period. Despite that, discussions could be revived—especially if the American forward continues to impress on the world stage.

The Cottagers are in urgent need of attacking reinforcements after Mexican striker Raul Jimenez left at the end of his contract and returned to Wolves as a free agent. With the 2026–27 campaign approaching, Fulham are expected to explore multiple options to strengthen their frontline.

From both a club and player perspective, a potential move to Craven Cottage appears logical. Speaking in association with William Hill’s ‘Final One Standing’, former USMNT goalkeeper Keller shared his thoughts on the possible transfer: “The tricky part for me with Ricardo – similar to Gio Reyna – is that at PSV, he’s mostly been coming off the bench because of the players ahead of him in the pecking order.”

Keller added, “Part of me feels he should stay at PSV until he firmly establishes himself as a regular starter before seeking a move. But at the same time, if Fulham believe he’s the right fit and he feels ready for the challenge, then he should take that opportunity and see if it’s the right step for him.”

He went on to say, “It’s a bit of a tricky situation, but if you get the chance to play in the Premier League, prove yourself, and keep improving, then you should go for it.”

Pepi’s development since leaving MLS side FC Dallas in January 2022 has been impressive. After a brief and challenging spell with German club Augsburg, he revived his career on loan at Groningen, netting 13 goals during the 2022–23 season. Those performances earned him a move to PSV Eindhoven, where he has since made 102 appearances and scored 45 goals, winning three Eredivisie titles in the process.

His goal tally has improved every year, culminating in a personal-best 19 goals last season. When asked if Pepi is ready for the Premier League, Keller noted, “That’s the tricky part. We’ve seen before how difficult the transition can be for goal-scorers from the Eredivisie. Many have struggled to replicate their form after moving to a tougher league.”

Reflecting on a recent friendly against Senegal, Keller continued, “I liked what I saw from Ricardo. Some strikers offer little when they don’t score, but he contributes in other areas—link-up play, pressing from the front, defending on set pieces. Those qualities are valuable, especially for a club like Fulham that targets mid-table stability. Not every team needs a 30-goal striker; sometimes a player who scores 10 or 12 but adds much more to the team dynamic is just as important. I think Ricardo can be that player.”

Pepi, who is under contract with PSV until 2030, is set to feature in the USMNT’s upcoming match against Australia. His long-term deal means the Dutch champions are under no financial pressure to sell. In fact, PSV would welcome strong World Cup performances from the Texas-born forward, as that could further boost his market value.

Whether Fulham or another Premier League club decide to renew their pursuit remains to be seen, but another move up the football ladder seems inevitable for Pepi in the near future. With his continued growth and international exposure, a new challenge could soon be on the horizon for one of America’s most promising attacking talents.