It appears the young star wants out.
It appears that FC Dallas will have a big decision to make this winter, one that I believe we all can say we saw coming a mile away after the season that Ricardo Pepi has enjoyed.
Chris Smith of 90min is reporting that the Homegrown striker has submitted his transfer request away from FC Dallas and will look for a move this winter.
Ricardo Pepi has approached the FC Dallas Front Office to request a transfer away from the club, @90min_Football are told #USMNT #DTID
Have reached out to the player’s representatives for further confirmation.
Full report https://t.co/61RmFHwRxN
— Chris Smith (@CJSmith91) October 18, 2021
To back up the claim, Roger Gonzalez has also confirmed the same reporting as Smith with a couple more nuggets about some potential landing spots.
I can confirm that Ricardo Pepi has requested a transfer from FC Dallas and that he has agreed to personal terms with Wolfsburg. First reported by @CJSmith91.
Far from done. So many clubs interested and involved.
— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) October 18, 2021
In a way, this feels like a video game scenario. The player wants out after enjoying a good season, and now it is on the club to figure it out. But Gonzalez also sent this tweet out that sheds some light as to where FC Dallas stands at the moment with Pepi.
A few more things to report on Pepi, according to sources:
– FC Dallas really want to wait till after the 2022 World Cup to sell, thinking his stock will potentially be much higher.
– Those close to the club think that an offer of $15 million would absolutely force them to sell.— Roger Gonzalez (@RGonzalezCBS) October 18, 2021
So yeah, this is a classic ‘damn if you do, damn if you don’t’ situation. You’re dammed for selling a player so young and talented but you’re also dammed if you hold on to him too long. Waiting until after next season seems like a large risk that the club might not be able to take on with the way Pepi has been playing on the international front this fall.
Naturally, we don’t want to see him go just yet either but holding on to a guy with the hopes that he’ll make a World Cup roster is a big risk for a number of reasons. He could get hurt along the way early next season that could keep him out from making the World Cup roster. He could have a sophomore slump type season that doesn’t seem him produce the same rate under a new manager as he did in 2021.
On the flip side, if they are able to keep him through next year and he continues at the rate that he is going at right now, it would be an impressive transfer for the club and MLS.
As Gonzalez states in that second tweet, an offer of around $15 million would likely get the club to accept an offer this winter though. I’ve been told by a couple of people close to the club that should Pepi once again make his way onto the US roster, start the game against Mexico and score against them, more offers north of $10 million will likely pour in. Not to mention, FC Dallas has a pretty solid history of ‘doing right by the player’ in these situations.
This one feels like it is still a long way from being over. Just because a player wants out, doesn’t mean it will actually happen right away. What do you make of this news for Pepi? Are you surprised that he wants out? Do you think FC Dallas will do right by him like they have so many other players before him?