Fulham’s persistence appears to have paid off as PSV Eindhoven are now open to selling striker Ricardo Pepi.
That’s according to journalist Rik Elfrink, via FC Update. The website covers comments from the ‘PSV watcher’ and it’s good news for Fulham.
They’ve been chasing Pepi since last summer as they look to strengthen Marco Silva’s attacking options. PSV, though, have always resisted a deal.
That remained the case this month. Fulham’s €32m bid was rejected out of hand by the Dutch club. They seemed determined to keep Pepi until the summer. Reports in the Netherlands explained that the Dutch side thought the striker could have a good World Cup and thus get a ‘World Cup bonus’.
Unperturbed, Fulham have continued to push. They’ve even continued to push despite Pepi currently being out with a broken arm. And they’ve been given help from the press in the Netherlands, who’ve insisted PSV should take the money and run.
Fulham spending may be slowing
The latest reports indicated that PSV’s resistance may be breaking. Although any deal was not expected to take place until deadline day of the January transfer window next week.
Elfrink pretty much backs that up today. He says there is just a couple of million now separating the two sides. Crucially, though, PSV are now open to a sale.
“(PSV) want a few million more,” he explained on the Heet van de Herdgang podcast. The journalist then explained that replacements are already being looked at. They include Hee-Chan Hwang at Wolves, Álvaro Rodríguez at Elche and Mika Biereth at AS Monaco. The fact replacements are being looked for is a sign of PSV being willing to sell.
The Dutch side would be wise not to wait too long, though. With Fulham already splashing the cash on Oscar Bobb, their reserves could start running low. As others have said, now may be the time to take the money while it’s on offer.
