Liverpool battle PL rivals to land 18-year-old USMNT starlet

Liverpool to battle both Manchester giants for American starlet Ricardo Pepi

According to Sports Mole (h/t Liverpool Echo), Manchester City have joined Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign American sensation Ricardo Pepi.

The FC Dallas youngster has been phenomenal for the Major League Soccer side’s success, scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in 30 games. He has looked the part at the international level too, scoring thrice in four games for the United States national team.

FC Dallas’ academy is famous for producing great talents. Notably, Juventus’ Weston McKennie is a product of their development system. Pepi is the current standout player from their academy as he established himself by becoming the top scorer of the inaugural season of the USL League.

After bursting onto the MLS scene in 2020, he has attracted the eyes of some of the big clubs in England. One obstruction for the English team is his current long term contract with FC. The 18 years old player has five years left 

Luckily for Liverpool, the American club is believed to be willing to accept an offer in the region of €10m (£8.5m). Given the youngster’s potential, it could prove to be a snip in the current market.

Pepi has proved his threat in the penalty areas scoring different types of goals. There is every reason to believe that he can be a reliable backup for Sadio Mane.

A player with excellent movement and understanding of the game in the penalty area, Pepi’s finishing abilities are also top-notch. He could prove to be a bargain in the long run.

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Any investment in the youngster can provide future security and depth to a Liverpool squad that needs to be rebuilt in the coming years. Whether we can trump the Manchester clubs for his signature remains to be seen.