Fulham’s protracted £31m deal for USA star on verge of collapse despite completing medical

Fulham’s deal for PSV Eindhoven striker Ricardo Pepi is at risk of collapse.

The Cottagers had agreed a deal in principle to sign the United States international for £31million.

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However, talkSPORT understands the deal has since been plunged into uncertainty.

Why could Ricardo Pepi’s move to Fulham be called off?

Fulham and PSV are understood to be at odds over a potential break clause for a variety of circumstances, including a potential injury to Pepi.

A breakdown in negotiations would come as a bitter blow for Pepi, who is believed to be keen on the move to Craven Cottage.

Fulham have made no secret of their admiration for the American star having heavily pursued him in the January window.

However, a move failed to materialise as PSV wanted to find a replacement before allowing Pepi to join the Cottagers.

Fulham in need of new-look attack

Fulham are keen to add attacking reinforcements to their ranks ahead of what looms as a summer of change.

Striker Raul Jimenez, who has nine league goals this season, is out of contract at the end of the campaign while Rodrigo Muniz has endured his fair share of injury woes.

Fulham also look set to lose attacking ace Harry Wilson who, like Jimenez, will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Wilson has enjoyed the best form of his career, netting ten goals and providing six assists from 29 league fixtures this term.

The Wales international’s displays have not gone unnoticed, with Aston Villa understood to be sniffing around the soon-to-be free agent.

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There is also the risk Fulham will have a new face in the dugout, as incumbent boss Silva is another who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

How has Ricardo Pepi performed this season for PSV?

Should Jimenez and Wilson both leave Craven Cottage at the end of the season, the arrival of Pepi would undoubtedly soften the blow.

The 23-year-old, who plays up top for PSV, has 13 goals to his name for the Dutch outfit across all competitions.

Impressively, three of those have come in Champions League action, with Pepi netting against Napoli, Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid.

Pepi will undoubtedly want to remain in goalscoring form ahead of the World Cup, where he is expected to play a key role in the USMNT’s tilt towards the knockout stages on home soil.

The 23-year-old was included in US boss Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for their March international friendlies, where they will face Belgium and Portugal.

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Also named in Pochettino’s team is Pepi’s potential future club teammate Antonee Robinson, who is a left-back at Fulham.

Other stars called up to international duty by Pochettino for the US include Leeds’ Brenden Aaronson, former Chelsea flyer Christian Pulisic and Derby striker Patrick Agyemang.