U.S. international striker Ricardo Pepi is unlikely to suit up for the Bundesliga side Augsburg again. According to influential soccer insider Fabrizio Romano, Pepi will be looking for a new club in the summer.
Pepi, who is currently playing on loan at Eredivisie club FC Groningen, will reportedly have no shortage of suitors. He might end up staying in the Netherlands, as Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord showed interest in him lately. One Premier League club also explored the deal for the 20-year-old player, but the player “prefers different challenge at this stage of his career.”
Pepi emerged as one of the brightest American talents during his time with FC Dallas, prompting Augsburg to spend a reported $20 million with bonuses to sign him in January 2021. The deal made him the most-expensive American player to be subject to a transfer from MLS to one European club. He was also Augsburg’s record signing.
However, Pepi struggled to make his mark in the Bundesliga. He went scoreless in the second part of 2021-22 and also failed to net a goal at the beginning of the current season. This prompted Augsburg to send him on loan to Groningen.
The El Paso, Texas, native re-discovered his form in the Netherlands, scoring 11 goals a dishing three assists in 24 matches.
