RB Leipzig interested in bringing USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi back to the Bundesliga | OneFootball

Footmercato reports that RB Leipzig are interested in bringing USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi back to the Bundesliga. The German Red Bulls eye up the 33-times-capped USMNT international as a potential replacement for the departed Benjamin Sesko. Pepi – still working at the Dutch outfit FC Augsburg sold him to two years ago – maintains an estimated market value of €13m.

Whether Pepi wishes to depart PSV Eindhoven and return to a league in which he struggled professionally remains to be seen. Augsburg paid a record transfer fee to acquire Pepi during the January 2022 transfer window. The Texan arrived in the Bundesliga to much fanfare, famously noting that “Tor” (“Goal”) was his first and favorite German goal.

Pepi nevertheless never ended up scoring a goal in 15 Bundesliga appearances during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns. Dissatisfied with his role with the Fuggerstädter, Pepi requested a loan out to FC Groningen. After tasting success in the Eredivisie, Pepi’s representation pushed for a permanent transfer away from Germany. The €11m sale to PSV followed after the season.

The French report notes that Fulham have already tendered a €30m offer for Pepi, which has been rejected by PSV. The Dutch champions will demand a hefty fee to part company with a player who scored 18 goals in 29 competitive appearances last season.

GGFN | Peter Weis