Crystal Palace are keen to lure Ricardo Pepi to the Premier League and the USA international has already confirmed that he plans to leave Bundesliga outfit FC Augsburg during the summer transfer window.
Roy Hodgson, since returning to Selhurst Park following the sacking of Patrick Vieira, has breathed new life into the careers of Jordan Ayew, Ebere Eze and Michael Olise; the Palace trio sparkling during a run of three straight league wins.
For his next trick, the former England boss will be hoping to get a more consistent tune out of Crystal Palace’s oh-so inconsistent centre-forwards; Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Failing that, the summer window could see a new number nine arrive in their place. BILD claim that Crystal Palace are battling Eredivisie giants Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven to sign 20-year-old Pepi; a Texan-born poacher with six goals in just 14 starts for the USA national team.
Crystal Palace like Augsburg and USA striker Ricardo Pepi
Pepi made a £14 million move to Augsburg a year ago, turning down the likes of Liverpool in favour of a shock switch to a side who spend most of their time milling around the lower regions of the Bundesliga table.
It’s safe to say, however, that after just 16 goalless games in Augsburg colours, Pepi is not exactly counting down the days until he returns to the WWK Arena either, following an impressive loan spell at Groningen.
“I don’t want to go back to Augsburg,” Pepi told Voetbal International recently. “I was promised things that were not fulfilled. It’s just that simple.”
Agent Jamie Garcia, meanwhile, was equally unequivocal; “Ricardo Pepi is not going back to Augsburg.”
Whether Pepi is the centre-forward capable of taking Crystal Palace to another level – the final footballing infinity stone in Roy Hodgson’s gauntlet – remains to be seen. But young, skilful and highly-gifted Pepi could certainly slot in neatly alongside Olise, Eze and co.
In 23 starts, he has 11 goals and three assists for relegation-threatened Groningen this term.
“There are players like Robert (Lewandowski) and Erling Haaland I compare my game to,” says Pepi; his 6ft 1in frame and clinical finishing skills off both feet comparing favourably to a pair of superstar strikers.
“I like to watch their movements and do some video work on them. Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world and I like to compare myself to him – a lot.”
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