Ricardo Pepi is emerging as a hidden gem. The American striker is on pace to surpass his records from last season in remarkable time. Undisputed under Mauricio Pochettino in the United States, Pepi recently delivered the winning goal in a 0-1 win against the Reggae Boyz, highlighting his growth as a player.

Determined to keep progressing at the club level, he has become a key figure at PSV, where the club sees him as a long-term investment. However, Pepi might already be positioning himself as a benchmark talent. At this pivotal stage in his career, the striker has set his sights on the 2026 World Cup, hosted in his home country, where he hopes to shine as one of CONCACAF’s brightest stars.

While PSV views him as a cornerstone for the future—especially with veteran Luuk de Jong nearing the twilight of his career at 35—a transfer is not off the table. According to Transfermarkt, Pepi’s market value stands at €12 million ($13 million). If a “reasonable offer” comes in, PSV may consider his departure, and interest is already brewing. Per AS, clubs from France, Italy, Spain, and England are exploring the possibility of signing him.

At just 21 years old, Pepi is defying the odds to carve out his place in European football. In Eindhoven, he operates under the shadow of Luuk de Jong, a key figure for PSV. Dubbed a “luxury substitute” by coach Peter Bosz, Pepi has grown weary of the label and is eager to write his own story. This season, he has already netted six goals for PSV, just three shy of his personal best (nine). For comparison, at Pepi’s age, USMNT legend Clint Dempsey was still in MLS, where he had scored just 10 goals.

“It’s been a long year and a half of patience—being on the bench, waiting to play 10 or 15 minutes every weekend. It got frustrating for a while,” Pepi admitted. “I’ve learned to be patient with the process, and now I feel I’m at a point in my career where I’m ready for more playing time. I think I’ve started to show that. I’m ready to be a starter, and I just have to keep that mentality.”

Whether starting or coming off the bench, Pepi consistently delivers. He is already PSV’s second-highest scorer this season, just two goals behind de Jong. However, Pepi has been more efficient, scoring his goals in just 433 minutes compared to de Jong’s 1,130. This equates to one goal every 74 minutes for Pepi, far surpassing de Jong’s 141 minutes per goal. Additionally, SofaScore data reveals Pepi’s clinical edge: he has converted 100% of his clear-cut chances, while de Jong has managed only 30% despite more shots per game (2.56 for de Jong versus 1.47 for Pepi).

Pepi’s primary objective is to shed the “super-sub” label and earn more meaningful minutes on the pitch. Whether this happens at PSV or elsewhere remains to be seen. A transfer could materialise as early as the winter market or next summer. For now, what’s clear is that Ricardo Pepi is a player on the rise, determined to establish himself as a key figure in both club and international football.