Deal almost done!
Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg have won the race for FC Dallas striker Ricardo Pepi. Die Wölfe will sign the 18-year-old striker this winter, who in recent months has been linked with several clubs in Europe. But according to Transfermarkt information Wolfsburg were always the favorites to complete the deal and have been in complex negotiations with Dallas for some time. Pepi impressed for Dallas last season, scoring 13 goals and two assists in 31 MLS games.
Those negotiations have now reached a breakthrough, with the MLS side receiving a record fee. Dallas will receive around $10 million right away. But the deal will include structured bonus payments in a similarly structured deal that the Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich transfer in the winter of 2019. In that deal, the Vancouver Whitecaps received $11 million upfront but the deal can grow up to $16 million.
Pepi will fall just short of the Davies deal, and the Canadian, therefore, remains the most expensive homegrown player in MLS history. But Pepi will become the most expensive American homegrown player, breaking the record set by Gianluca Busio, Brenden Aaronson, and his former teammate Bryan Reynolds (all outgoing MLS transfers at a glance).
Pepi in the top 3.: The most valuable USMNT center-forwards
10. Andrija Novakovich | €1.7 million | Frosinone Calcio
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9. Gyasi Zardes | €3 million | Columbus Crew
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8. Brian White | €3 million | Vancouver Whitecaps
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7. Matthew Hoppe | €4.5 million | Mallorca
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6. Jordan Siebatcheu | €5 million | Young Boys
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5. Cade Cowell | €5 million | San Jose Earthquakes
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4. Josh Sargent | €8 million | Norwich City
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3. Ricardo Pepi | €8 million | FC Dallas
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2. Daryl Dike | €10 million | Orlando City
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1. Timothy Weah | €15 million | Lille
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Wolfsburg react to Nmecha injury – Pepi soon most expensive 18-year-old?
At Wolfsburg, Pepi is expected to replace the injured German national team striker Lukas Nmecha in the short term. Long-term the American, who could potentially become the most expensive 18-year-old in Wolfsburg history is expected to replace forward Wout Weghorst. The Dutchman has offers from England.
Martínez, Mukhtar, Pepi & Co. – The 25 most valuable MLS players
Santiago Sosa | Atlanta United | Market value: $6.6m
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Cole Bassett | Colorado Rapids | Market value: $6.6m
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Efraín Álvarez | Los Angeles Galaxy | Market value: $6.6m
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Hany Mukhtar | Nashville SC | Market value: $7.15m
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Ryan Gauld | Vancouver Whitecaps | Market value: $7.15m
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José Cifuentes | Los Angeles FC | Market value: $7.15m
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Carles Gil | New England Revolution | Market value: $7.7m
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Adam Buksa | New England Revolution | Market value: $7.7m
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Yeferson Soteldo | Toronto FC | Market value: $7.7m
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Valentín Castellanos | New York City FC | Market value: $7.7m
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Brenner | FC Cincinnati | Market value: $7.7m
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Talles Magno | New York City FC | Market value: $7.7m
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Dániel Sallói | Sporting Kansas City | Market value: $8.25m
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Raúl Ruidíaz | Seattle Sounders | Market value; $8.8m
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Alan Pulido | Sporting Kansas City | Market value: $8.8m
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Alejandro Pozuelo | Toronto FC | Market value: $8.8m
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Lucas Zelarayán | Columbus Crew | Market value: $8.8m
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Marcelino Moreno | Atlanta United | Market value: $8.8m
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Ricardo Pepi | FC Dallas | Market value: $ 8.8m
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Tajon Buchanan | New England Revolution | Market value: $9.35m
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Luiz Araujo | Atlanta United | Market value: $11m
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Emmanuel Reynoso | Minnesota United | Market value: $11m
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Ezequiel Barco | Atlanta United | Market value: $11m
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Daryl Dike | Orlando City | Market value: $11m
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Josef Martínez | Atlanta United | Market value: $13.75m
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