Could Napoli bid €30 million for US striker Ricardo Pepi?
Napoli is reportedly preparing a conditional €30 million bid for Ricardo Pepi if the Italian club can sell Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca this summer, according to Napoli watcher Fabio Cannavo on Radio Marte and reporting from PSV Inside. The US striker remains on PSV Eindhoven's transfer shortlist while representing the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- Napoli watcher Fabio Cannavo told Radio Marte the club would pursue Ricardo Pepi with a €30 million offer after selling Lukaku and Lucca.
- PSV Inside reports AC Milan, Inter, Juventus and Fulham have also been linked, though a Fulham deal previously collapsed.
- Pepi and fellow El Paso native Alejandro Zendejas were expected to start on the bench for the USMNT's Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Diario AS highlights Pepi and Zendejas as Latino standouts reshaping the USMNT's attacking identity at the home World Cup.
Why is Napoli targeting Ricardo Pepi now?
According to PSV Inside, Napoli wants to rejuvenate its attack and sees Pepi as a priority signing. Cannavo told Radio Marte that Napoli is trying to sell Lukaku and Lucca, and if those exits happen, the club would go after the American striker with full conviction.
The reported €30 million figure would mirror last season's fee for Noa Lang's move from PSV to Napoli. PSV and Napoli have done business before, including Hirving Lozano's transfer for around €50 million in 2019. Napoli has also been linked with PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
PSV Inside notes that Milan, Inter and Juventus have surfaced as suitors at various points. Fulham thought it had reached an agreement with Pepi earlier in the window, but that deal fell through, leaving his future open as the summer market continues.
Where does Pepi stand at the 2026 World Cup?
While transfer talk swirls, Pepi is competing on home soil at the World Cup. The El Paso Times reported that Pepi and Zendejas were expected to begin the Round of 32 knockout match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on the bench.
Pepi started the last two USMNT group-stage matches while Christian Pulisic recovered from a leg injury. With Pulisic back to full health, manager Mauricio Pochettino was expected to restore his first-choice lineup. Zendejas made his World Cup debut as a second-half substitute against Türkiye.
Pepi was surprisingly left off the 2022 World Cup roster, making 2026 his tournament debut. The 23-year-old San Elizario native signed with PSV in 2023 for $9.8 million and scored 16 goals in 26 appearances this season while helping the Dutch club win the Eredivisie title.
How did Latino standouts shape this USMNT era?
Diario AS describes Latino soccer stars as key pieces reshaping the USMNT's style and identity. Ricardo Pepi, born in Texas to Mexican parents, has developed into one of the squad's most important attacking weapons.
Alejandro Zendejas, originally from Ciudad Juárez but developed in Texas, brought Liga MX experience from Club América before committing to the USMNT. Giovanni Reyna, with Argentine roots and the son of US legend Claudio Reyna, remains a central creative figure.
That cultural blend adds context to Pepi's rising profile. A Napoli move would elevate a Texas-born striker already starring on the world's biggest stage. For more transfer and celebrity sports updates, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Read the full Napoli report at PSV Inside.