Report: Fulham told to pay £35m to sign 10-goal striker

Fulham Eyeing Move to Sign £35m Forward

Fulham’s January planning has a clear headline target. Dean Jones for TEAMtalk reports that Marco Silva’s side remain interested in PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi, with two factors set to decide whether this develops into a deal this month.

Jones writes: “Fulham are facing an uphill battle in their quest to sign Ricardo Pepi from PSV Eindhoven, with sources telling TEAMtalk the two conditions for a January transfer to happen.” In short, Fulham need to get closer to PSV’s valuation, and Pepi may need to apply pressure, a dynamic captured by the report’s focus on the player ‘pushing for move’.

PSV stance shaped by a title run

TEAMtalk states: “Pepi has been told that PSV want to keep him until the end of the season, even as they wait for Fulham to come back with a renewed bid.” The league context makes that easier to defend, with the report adding: “PSV are 11 points clear at the top of the Eredivisie table after 17 rounds of matches and do not want to risk a collapse in the second half of the season.”

Photo: IMAGO

PSV also hold firm financially. Jones notes: “Sources have told us that PSV are not in a situation where they need to cash in and that the player has been made aware of their stance.” That removes the usual January pressure point, and leaves Fulham needing either a premium fee, or a player led nudge, ideally both.

Fulham bid latest and what changes next

Fulham’s first offer has already been turned away. TEAMtalk reports: “Fulham made an initial £26million (€30m, $35m) proposal for the USA international striker, which was rejected by the Dutch giants, and they are now looking at a second offer.” The second bid is where intent becomes unmistakable.

The report is direct on the number that matters: “We understand a deal will only be able to open up if the player pushes for the move to Fulham and the next offer is closer to their £35m (€40.1m, $47.1m) valuation.” If Fulham go near that figure, they are buying more than goals, they are buying a striker with resale value and genuine upside.

Pepi profile and Marco Silva fit

Pepi’s production explains the attention. TEAMtalk notes: “Pepi, who has scored seven goals in seven Eredivisie starts and three goals in four Champions League appearances for PSV this season, is interested in a switch to the Premier League,” and that is the sort of line Fulham supporters cling to in January.

The World Cup angle still matters. The report adds that Pepi “also knows his build-up to the World Cup will continue comfortably if he stays at PSV for now.” Fulham’s pitch, then, has to be minutes, role, and momentum, with Silva offering a clear pathway to become the focal point in a side that believes it can climb.

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This report has me buzzing as a Fulham supporter, because it sounds like ambition with a plan. Pepi feels like the profile we have needed, young, mobile, and already delivering in big competitions. When TEAMtalk says he “is interested in a switch to the Premier League,” it is hard not to picture him feeding off the service we create, and giving us that ruthless edge in the box.

PSV’s stance is tough, and “PSV want to keep him until the end of the season,” so Fulham will need to move decisively. Still, if it really hinges on the player ‘pushing for move’, that is where belief grows. If Pepi wants this, Silva can sell him the idea of being the main man, not a squad option, and that matters for a 22 year old eyeing the World Cup.

We are “11th in the Premier League table with 27 points from 19 matches,” and we are “only three points off the European places in the table.” That is exactly why this feels worth stretching for. One clinical striker can turn fine margins into points. If the club back Silva near that £35m level, it signals Fulham are ready to build, not simply survive, and that is the energy I want to see at Craven Cottage.