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Ricardo Pepi linked with PSV Eindhoven move

By Robert Wheeler

ROTTERDAM - Ricardo Pepi of FC Groningen during the Dutch premier league match between Feyenoord and FC Groningen at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on March 4, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. ANP PIETER STAM DE JONGE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
ROTTERDAM - Ricardo Pepi of FC Groningen during the Dutch premier league match between Feyenoord and FC Groningen at Feyenoord Stadion de Kuip on March 4, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. ANP PIETER STAM DE JONGE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images) /
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Ricardo Pepi has been performing well for FC Groningen this season. This form has already earned him a recall to the U.S. men’s national team but it could also earn him a transfer to one of the top teams in the Netherlands.

Ricardo Pepi has scored nine goals and got three assists in 21 games in the Eredivisie this season. His performances have not gone unnoticed with the Dutch website VI reporting that PSV Eindhoven sees him as an option for them next season.

Pepi is only on loan at Groningen so the transfer would have to be agreed upon with his parent club FC Augsburg of Germany. The Bundesliga side paid $20 million to FC Dallas for Pepi which was a then-record deal that a European side made for an MLS player. However, the move did not work out and he has made 16 appearances for Augsburg without scoring.

Is moving to PSV right for Ricardo Pepi?

Despite Pepi’s goalscoring exploits, Groningen is currently 17th in the Eredivisie, so they are in danger of being relegated this season. PSV on the other hand are third, a move to them would definitely be a step up.

PSV have won the Eredivisie 24 times, most recently in 2018 so Pepi would have the opportunity to win trophies at the club. The only silverware he has won so far in his career came when he was playing for North Texas SC.

He would also get the chance to play in a European competition with PSV. The club were recently knocked out of the Europa League by Sevilla but is on course to qualify again for Europe this season.

Would it help him retain his USMNT place?

Pepi, unfortunately, missed out on playing at the World Cup in Qatar last year. Haji Wright was picked by Gregg Berhalter over him, which was a decision that Alexi Lalas vocally disagreed with on Fox Soccer.

However, under new interim manager Anthony Hudson, Pepi is back in the USMNT fold. Also in the squad is Daryl Dike who is performing well for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship this season. Timothy Weah who scored at the World Cup is also included but has recently been used as a full-back for Lille in Ligue 1.

There is also a possibility that Folarin Balogun could be about to commit his international allegiance to the USMNT after being left out of the England senior team by Gareth Southgate. Balogun posted a photo of himself on Instagram of him in Orlando yesterday which is where the Stars and Stripes’ training camp is.

If Pepi is to compete for a starting place for his county then he needs to be competing at the highest level he can. PSV would be a step up but he could weigh up his options to see if there is interest from a team in Europe’s top five leagues.

The USA are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup so Pepi has time to prove that he is the man to lead their line. The fixtures against Grenada and El Salvador this international break are a chance for him to prove his place in the team.

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