The race to sign United States men’s national team star Ricardo Pepi is heating up. Sources tell CBS Sports that Liverpool, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax are all interested in the FC Dallas forward. The Texas native, who has been on fire with club and country, told his club that he wants to leave, and he’s already agreed personal terms with Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, CBS Sports can confirm. Chris Smith of 90min.com first reported Pepi’s transfer request and the agreement with Wolfsburg.
Of course, that doesn’t mean he is moving to Wolfsburg, unless FC Dallas come to an agreement with the German club. Sources tell CBS Sports that Sampdoria of Serie A did offer $8 million, but that was quickly rejected, with FC Dallas expecting much more than that.
CBS Sports understands that FC Dallas would prefer to sell after the 2022 World Cup, where they feel his value could be at its highest. The belief is that an offer of around $12-15 million would be needed to convince the team to sell, though that could be a tad flexible now that Pepi has said he wants to leave.
Any transfer for Pepi is expected to make him the most expensive American export from MLS, surpassing the transfer of Jozy Altidore to Villarreal nearly 15 years ago.
Pepi has burst onto the scene with stellar showings for FC Dallas, scoring 13 goals in 27 games this season. He also has three goals for the USMNT in four matches, with all of the goals coming in World Cup qualifying.
CBS Sports will have more information as it becomes available.
