PSV Eindhoven’s Director of Football Earnie Stewart has emphatically ruled out any potential transfer for U.S. men’s national team striker Ricardo Pepi, despite substantial interest from Premier League clubs. Speaking exclusively to GOAL, Stewart outlined the Dutch giants’ long-term vision for their American forward, effectively ending speculation about a possible winter move.
The definitive stance comes amid reports of a £20.7 million offer from an unnamed Premier League club, with interest also emerging from French sides. Pepi’s impressive run of form, netting 10 goals in just 646 Eredivisie minutes this season, has naturally attracted attention from across Europe’s top leagues.
Stewart’s clear vision for Pepi’s future at PSV demonstrates the club’s commitment to nurturing his development, particularly as they view him as the eventual successor to current first-choice striker Luuk de Jong. First and foremost, regarding all the transfer issues, I can take those off the table because there’s not going to be a transfer,” Stewart declared, before praising Pepi’s remarkable progress since joining the club.
The American striker’s development, particularly in positional play and movement in tight spaces, has impressed the PSV hierarchy since his £9.8 million transfer from Augsburg in July 2023. Despite playing second fiddle to the experienced de Jong, Pepi has managed to establish himself as one of the Eredivisie’s most efficient goalscorers, currently sitting joint-second in the Golden Boot race.
Stewart specifically highlighted Pepi’s technical improvement and adaptation to PSV’s demanding style of play. “If you see where he was almost a year and a half ago up to where he is today, it’s been amazing. He’s really made some steps along the way,” Stewart emphasized, acknowledging the healthy competition between Pepi and de Jong that has elevated both players’ performances.
The situation perfectly encapsulates PSV’s careful succession planning, with Stewart acknowledging de Jong’s current importance while clearly positioning Pepi as the club’s future attacking spearhead. “At some point, we also see that Ricardo is going to be the No. 1 for PSV,” Stewart confirmed, underlining the club’s long-term commitment to the American forward.
Pepi himself has maintained a remarkably mature attitude toward the transfer speculation, having dealt with similar situations since his breakthrough at FC Dallas. It’s just like such a normal thing now,” the striker recently told GOAL, explaining his focus on performance rather than transfer rumors. His professional approach aligns perfectly with PSV’s development plan, as he continues to make the most of his opportunities while learning from de Jong’s experience.
The striker’s impressive statistics tell their own story, with 22 goals in 63 appearances for PSV highlighting his clinical finishing ability. His contribution has played a significant role in PSV’s current position at the top of the Eredivisie table, demonstrating his value to the team even in a rotation role.
Looking ahead, PSV face immediate challenges in both domestic competitions, with upcoming fixtures in the KNVB Cup against Excelsior and an Eredivisie clash with PEC Zwolle. These matches present further opportunities for Pepi to strengthen his position within the squad and continue his impressive developmental trajectory.
Stewart’s message to young players like Pepi emphasizes patience and preparedness: “When the moment comes, you need to be ready for it.” This philosophy, combined with PSV’s clear commitment to Pepi’s future, suggests that despite current transfer interest, the American striker’s development is best served by continuing his journey in Eindhoven.
