Ricardo Pepi has admitted he instructed his agent to block transfer discussions following the collapse of his proposed move to Fulham earlier this year.
The striker was heavily linked with Fulham after the January transfer window, with the Premier League side returning for the PSV Eindhoven forward once the market had closed.
A deal progressed significantly, with Pepi even travelling to London for a medical. However, negotiations between PSV Eindhoven and Fulham eventually broke down over final transfer conditions.
Now, the United States international says he wants to avoid any transfer distractions until after the World Cup.
Ricardo Pepi reflects on failed Fulham transfer
Speaking to ESPN Netherlands via Voetbal Nieuws, Pepi described the emotional impact of seeing the move collapse at such a late stage.
“Being so close to a transfer that doesn’t go through is a rollercoaster of emotions.” — Ricardo Pepi
“It is about staying stable and maintaining balance in your life.” — Ricardo Pepi
The striker also explained that his current priority is finishing the season strongly and focusing entirely on international football.
Having followed Fulham’s attacking recruitment closely this year, Pepi’s profile clearly appealed to Marco Silva because of his mobility, penalty-box instincts and long-term development potential. The collapse of the deal was therefore viewed internally as a major disappointment.
For Pepi himself, the failed move appears to have had a lasting emotional impact.
Fulham may need to wait until after World Cup
The striker confirmed he has now instructed his representatives not to entertain transfer discussions for the time being.
“Yes, 100%, 100%.” — Ricardo Pepi on ignoring transfer offers
“At the end of the World Cup, at the end of the season, we will have the right time to talk about these kinds of things.” — Ricardo Pepi
Those comments strongly suggest Fulham — or any other interested clubs — may need to delay renewed negotiations until later in the summer.
There is also the possibility that Pepi’s market could change significantly depending on his performances at the World Cup.
| Stat (2025/26) | Ricardo Pepi |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 41 |
| Goals | 19 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Minutes per goal | 118 |
source: sofascore match data – 13 May 2026
A strong tournament could increase competition for the striker and potentially alter both PSV’s asking price and the player’s own priorities.
What’s next?
Fulham are expected to continue monitoring Pepi’s situation despite the player’s request for transfer calm in the short term.
PSV, meanwhile, are likely to reassess the striker’s future after the World Cup once the market becomes clearer and clubs return with formal offers. Much may depend on whether Fulham decide to revive negotiations quickly or explore alternative attacking targets instead.
For now, Pepi appears fully focused on club and international football rather than revisiting the transfer saga that nearly took him to Craven Cottage earlier this year.
Should Fulham return for Ricardo Pepi after the World Cup, or would the failed deal make another move too complicated?
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