Liverpool are chasing the signing of FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi – and he claims he is now ready for a move away.
CBS Sports reported last month that Liverpool are interested in bringing Pepi to Anfield.
The Reds are far from alone in the race though, with Pepi absolutely a man in demand amid comparisons to Edin Dzeko.
Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax… the list of Pepi’s suitors just goes on and on.
Pepi would allegedly cost around $15million (£11million), which would make him the most expensive sale in MLS history.
Pepi has asked to leave Dallas in order to pursue a move to Europe, with Liverpool a prime contender.
The 18-year-old hitman has bagged 13 goals in his last 31 MLS games, as well as scoring three times in six USA caps.
Now, the teenage striker has spoken about his future with FOX Sports in the States.
Pepi has admitted that he is now ‘ready’ for a move to Europe, believing that has to be his next step.
Pepi did though add that he doesn’t want so sit on the bench with his next club. Having enjoyed first-team exposure with Dallas, he wants more ahead of the World Cup.
At this stage in his development, Pepi isn’t going to break straight into the Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp.
That may mean that a move to Anfield is effectively ruled out for Pepi, but a January bid could still come from Liverpool.
“I know that I’m ready for the next step,” said Pepi. “The next step is Europe.”
“I have to be careful with what I choose. There’s a World Cup coming, and I want to be able to participate, so I need to make sure that I’m playing. I don’t want to go sit on a bench. That’s basically what my decision is going to be based on,” he added.
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