Fulham are stepping up their efforts to sign a new striker this summer, with PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi emerging as a top target in a bid to convince Marco Silva to remain at Craven Cottage.
The club’s hierarchy is increasingly aware that strengthening the squad will be crucial if they are to persuade their manager to commit his long-term future to the project.
Silva’s Future Remains Uncertain
Ahead of Fulham’s trip to face Manchester City, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Silva, highlighting his tactical intelligence and influence on the team.
“Defensively and offensively, they are really good. Marco is one of the top, top managers I’ve faced,” Guardiola said. “He has the destiny to be one of the best in a few years.”
Despite such recognition, Silva’s future remains uncertain. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and Nottingham Forest are reportedly growing in confidence that they can lure the Portuguese coach to the City Ground.
Fulham Still Chasing European Qualification
Although Fulham have suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats, they remain within touching distance of the European places.
Their January recruitment, including the arrival of Oscar Bobb from Manchester City, demonstrated ambition and a willingness to back the manager in the transfer market.
However, with rival clubs monitoring Silva’s situation, owner Shahid Khan may need to invest further in the summer to show his commitment to the project.
Renewed Push for Ricardo Pepi
Fulham are now pushing hard to revive their interest in Ricardo Pepi, having failed to secure his signature during the January transfer window.
The club have maintained contact with PSV Eindhoven over a potential deal, and a summer move could be completed for around £30 million, slightly below the £32.2 million valuation quoted in January.
Silva was eager to bring in a new striker earlier this year, and Fulham’s hierarchy believe that landing Pepi could play a key role in persuading him to extend his stay.
Transfer Could Influence Silva’s Decision
With contract negotiations ongoing, Fulham are hopeful that demonstrating ambition in the market will strengthen their position.
Silva has consistently emphasised the importance of squad depth and quality, particularly in attacking areas, and Pepi fits the profile of a long-term solution.
Securing the American international would send a strong message about the club’s future direction.
Pepi Seen as Long-Term Replacement for Jimenez
Recent reports suggest that Fulham are not planning to offer Raul Jimenez a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the campaign.
While the decision may surprise some supporters, given that the Mexican has contributed four goals and one assist in his last nine league appearances, his age remains a factor.
At 34, Jimenez is entering the final stages of his career, and the club appear focused on investing in younger talent.
“Prolific” Forward Offers Long-Term Potential
Pepi, in contrast, represents a long-term option. At just 23 years old, he has already built an impressive goalscoring record in both domestic and international football.
Before suffering a broken arm, the striker had scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 22 appearances for PSV across all competitions this season.
He has also found the net 13 times in 34 matches for the United States national team, underlining his consistency at senior level.
Football scout Jacek Kulig has previously described Pepi as “prolific”, a label that reflects his strong finishing ability and intelligent movement in the final third.
Fulham Hoping for Win-Win Outcome
For Fulham, the potential signing represents more than just a squad upgrade.
It could provide a seamless transition away from Jimenez, inject fresh energy into the attack, and reinforce the club’s ambitions.
Crucially, it may also prove decisive in convincing Marco Silva that his future lies at Craven Cottage.
If the deal goes through, Fulham would strengthen both their squad and their managerial stability in one decisive move.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
