Stefan Reuter, sporting director of FC Augsburg, is currently rejecting the sale of record purchase Ricardo Pepi, despite his harsh criticism of those responsible for the Bundesliga club. “The facts are clear and so far there have been no inquiries, let alone offers, for him. A sale is therefore currently not an issue for us,” said the 56-year-old on the TV channel “Sky”. Pepi (20), who is currently on loan to the Dutch first division club FC Groningen, recently told the Dutch football magazine “Voetbal International”: “It’s clear to me: I don’t want to go back to Augsburg. I have already informed the club of this.”
Market value of Ricardo Pepi
Pepi’s manager Jaime Garcia was even clearer: “We appreciate the investment that the club has made. But once there, it seemed like they didn’t know how to handle such an investment. The trainer didn’t speak to him, the director wanted him so much that he didn’t come to an appointment with Ricardo twice,” said Garcia and made it clear: “Pepi isn’t going back to Augsburg.”
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He heard the advisor’s statements, said Reuter, but he still praised the US international, who was brought to Augsburg from Dallas in January 2022 for the sum of 16 million euros and loaned out in the summer. “Ricardo has a long-term contract with us. With his qualities, he fits in very well with our style of play. The trainer (Enrico Maassen; ed.) also appreciates him a lot,” said the 1990 world champion.
Should there be concrete and adequate offers for Pepi, the Fuggerstadt would deal with it. “But we then discuss that directly with him and the consultant, not in public,” explained Reuter. Pepi has scored eleven goals in 24 appearances for Groningen. The young striker’s contract with FCA runs until June 30, 2026. According to “Kicker”, ex-FCA coach Markus Weinzierl (in office from April 2021 to May 2022) had never once sought a conversation with Pepi. According to reports, the top teams PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord Rotterdam are interested, but the offensive player himself clearly prefers a move to the English Premier League, according to the magazine.
Pepi at the top: The most expensive additions to FC Augsburg → Click here for the gallery!
