Ricardo Pepi’s performances for club and country are turning heads in Europe as reports have arisen that clubs in some of the top leagues are pursuing the signature of the teenager.
Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas continues to develop some of the best youth players in the United States and they have taken the next step by making the move to Europe. Now, Pepi is the latest product from the club that will eventually head across the Atlantic to test himself among the best on the continent.
With 12 goals this season so for FC Dallas and introducing himself to CONCACAF with a goal and two assists in his first appearance for the U.S. men’s national team in their World Cup qualifier away to Honduras, there was sure going to be interest in the 18-year-old, but no one expected it to be on this level.
According to one report, clubs in England, Germany, and Italy are monitoring the Pepi, with a move in January possibly in the works if Dallas agrees to sell.
In Italy, Serie A sides AC Milan, Bologna, and Udinese have been reported as the ones interested in signing the El Paso-born forward. Bologna allegedly made an offer for Pepi in January this year, but Dallas turned them down.
German Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich could be the frontrunner to get Pepi’s signature due to their past relationship with the Western Conference club, another report has stated. He has trained previously with the Bavarians, so a move to Germany would not be a surprise if it happens.
Meanwhile, in England, there have been reports of two unnamed Premier League clubs showing interest in the teen.
Whichever clubs are interested in signing Pepi, they should be ready for a bidding war as he signed a five-year contract extension over the summer.
