Ricardo Pepi has taken MLS by storm over the past year, breaking all sorts of precocity records. He has scored in half of his matches in 2021. The performances of the 18-year-old striker have not gone unnoticed across the pond. Juventus and Milan are among the teams keeping tabs on him, but they will have plenty of competition, Calciomercato.com reports.
Pepi was the youngster player to net a hat-trick in an MLS game, and he did it in the span of 23 minutes against the Los Angeles Galaxy. He opened his tally in March 2020 and went on to record 14 goals and 3 assists in 48 league matches with FC Dallas. He has also found the target in his debut with the United States Men’s National Team against Honduras.
According to the site, Bologna and Fiorentina unsuccessfully tried to sign him last summer. He had a try-out with Bayern Munich, which have a tight relationship with FC Dallas. The German powerhouses will reportedly be the favorites once he decides to make the jump.
Juventus and Milan are in the running as well, though. The Bianconeri have held talks with his agents. Instead, Milan reached out to the MLS franchise to inquire about his availability. The Texan team responded by setting a lofty price tag. Pepi is poised to drum up a bidding war when he elects to transfer to Europe. The Italian teams are doing their work early to try to gain an advantage in the race for one of the most talented prospects around.