🌞Summer Silly Season Transfer thread 2026

[Deeping_white]

Reposting this because this twitter thread contains in multiple screenshots an English translation of the entirety of Rik Elfrink's article from earlier this evening. It describes in more detail what purportedly scuppered the deal (at least from PSV's perspective).
https://x.com/FulhamFanZone/status/2035459107453374955?s=20

Which is summarised as essentially; Fulham wanted to agree a deal now that becomes effective in July when the transfer window opens, which would give us chance to pull out if he got injured. Not sure why PSV seem to think that's so contentious given the fee involved - we can't afford to spend €35m up front on a player who's done their ACL in between the time we agreed the fee and the date he actually became a Fulham player. Also not sure why anyone wouldn't think it a pragmatic solution; PSV know that all they need to keep Pepi fit so don't play him or let him do any strenuous training that denies their payday, and then if he gets to July in one piece they get a huge wad of cash for a guy who will have started less than 20 games for them. They're gonna win the league anyway so not like they have to play him

[demeant0r]

Reposting this because this twitter thread contains in multiple screenshots an English translation of the entirety of Rik Elfrink's article from earlier this evening. It describes in more detail what purportedly scuppered the deal (at least from PSV's perspective).
https://x.com/FulhamFanZone/status/2035459107453374955?s=20

Which is summarised as essentially; Fulham wanted to agree a deal now that becomes effective in July when the transfer window opens, which would give us chance to pull out if he got injured. Not sure why PSV seem to think that's so contentious given the fee involved - we can't afford to spend €35m up front on a player who's done their ACL in between the time we agreed the fee and the date he actually became a Fulham player. Also not sure why anyone wouldn't think it a pragmatic solution; PSV know that all they need to keep Pepi fit so don't play him or let him do any strenuous training that denies their payday, and then if he gets to July in one piece they get a huge wad of cash for a guy who will have started less than 20 games for them. They're gonna win the league anyway so not like they have to play him

In would've thought that was something that would already be in the contract/transfer details. Why have we waited until he did his medical to spring this on them?

[Twig]

You know what? I am beyond caring. PSV are potentially getting a huge fee for a player unproven much beyond a lesser league (yes I know he has had a bit of success in European competition).

We have met multiple demands to improve the terms of our offer over past months and if they still aren't happy tell them to do one and let's move on.

[Trusty Steed]

I'm sick of this now! It's painful.
Think it's a bit of a high price if I'm honest, the Dutch league seems so different, they have acres of space, and plenty of time.
Sure, he could come good, but I have a feeling he wouldn't hit the ground running, take him half a season or more to adjust

[Chi_FFC]

Reposting this because this twitter thread contains in multiple screenshots an English translation of the entirety of Rik Elfrink's article from earlier this evening. It describes in more detail what purportedly scuppered the deal (at least from PSV's perspective).
https://x.com/FulhamFanZone/status/2035459107453374955?s=20

Which is summarised as essentially; Fulham wanted to agree a deal now that becomes effective in July when the transfer window opens, which would give us chance to pull out if he got injured. Not sure why PSV seem to think that's so contentious given the fee involved - we can't afford to spend €35m up front on a player who's done their ACL in between the time we agreed the fee and the date he actually became a Fulham player. Also not sure why anyone wouldn't think it a pragmatic solution; PSV know that all they need to keep Pepi fit so don't play him or let him do any strenuous training that denies their payday, and then if he gets to July in one piece...

Of course PSV can only control what happens with him through May 17th. He'll be in the US training camp starting in early June with a couple of friendlies and at least 3 WC matches that month.

[jayffc]

FFN theory is that part of this is connected to Shahid being in town potentially trying to tie up Silva.

And maybe this will be paused until Marco commits or otherwise. Sounds like on this it's pure speculation based on SK being here though. He usually says when there something more too a rumour if he's heard something

Well just have to see how it plays out

If it's really cos they want us not take the added financial risk here,I  do think it a little ridiculous for them to expect us to pay out 30+m if they play him and he gets injured for them badly for example. We wanted him a long time now,  they scuppered that in Jan. Starting to do my nut in here, they have a very fair offer on the table and have done for a while.

Sigh
We shall see

[Angus Telford]

Just to better explain my post above, the Rik Elfrink article says we want to "sign the agreement" now which to me implies a binding commitment, with it becoming "fully effective" (ie the transfer happening) in July. That would be consistent with the FFN explanation that we don't want to be "financially responsible" for the player until then, if you interpret that as meaning liability for his wages. That would be conventional I think, the same as when you buy a house, you commit by exchanging contracts with completion often not taking place until later. It's not the same as giving yourself the option to back out, eg if the player gets injured, which IMO seems pretty unconventional and if that's actually the explanation, I'm inclined to sympathise with PSV. If I was them, I'd say either commit now, or if you not ready to commit now, pi$$ off and come back in July when you are.

[Thailand Mick]

Am I missing something, isn't it the case that we want it registered after the 1st July so that it's in the next financial year regards to PSR/SCR

[hovewhite]

Glad we pulled out if he's injured as he seems like muniz an injury prone striker.
keep Raul and jka and ad seargent from Norwich.

[General]

It's probably just me, but this seems a ridiculous thing to have a transfer not go through because of. What are we playing at. I get the injury possibility, but when you sign a player that's a risk regardless. Tete, Robinson, Muniz, Wilson.. it all goes on. Just get the deal done ffs.


PSV director of football affairs Earnest Stewart said that the clubs could not agree on when the deal would be made official, with Fulham said to want to retain the ability to pull out of the move before the window opened if Pepi suffered an injury.

"In the end, no agreement was reached on the moment when responsibility for the player would be transferred," Stewart said.

"We were already in talks with Fulham during the winter break, when they made their move just before the transfer window closed. At that point, we couldn't bring in a replacement anymore, so the transfer couldn't go through. But a week later, we resumed discussions and the process got underway again.


Ricardo Pepi has been a regular scorer since joining PSV Eindhoven. Kevin Senders/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
"That issue of responsibility for the player was a very important detail throughout. We did get a bit closer on it, but in the end, we were still too far apart."

Pepi suffered a broken arm in early January, though has scored two goals in four games since returning at the end of last month. The 23-year-old also suffered a knee injury in January 2025 that forced him to miss the second half of last season.

"Ricardo really wanted this move," Stewart added. "It's mainly a frustrating situation for Ricardo. Of course, we're happy to keep a good striker at the club."

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48270934/usa-ricardo-pepi-fulham-transfer-psv-eindhoven

[SimonDaviesEnjoyer]

I'm ok with walking away if PSV are taking the Mickey.

40m for someone unproven in England and who looks like he still needs to fill out quite a bit is not something to pay frivolously.

[General]

I'm ok with walking away if PSV are taking the Mickey.

40m for someone unproven in England and who looks like he still needs to fill out quite a bit is not something to pay frivolously.

Feel that's too easily dismissive.

Pepi's goals per game numbers are up there with the best in Europe for goals per minutes played and at 23yrs old, could be a defining signing for us, like Mitro was.

He's a poacher, a type of player we need in the box.

They clearly think he's good if it is them  that are playing hardball over getting the deal done and the terms, not us.

But we have previous track record in being particularly an*l with deals and random details... so it wouldn't surprise me if it's us.

That being said, the logic for me should be if you sign a player and they can't play for you until the next window, then it seems odd to suggest that he essentially becomes a loan player before then.

I imagine it also plays into when the contract starts if we take a willingness to start contract from when signed.

An odd situation..

[AJW48361]

Never mind Andre could be available🤣

[AJW48361]

Never mind Andre could be available🤣

If Pepi got injured during the World Cup Which club would he belong to? I'm with Fulham on this.

[Drewry66]

Am I missing something, isn't it the case that we want it registered after the 1st July so that it's in the next financial year regards to PSR/SCR

Unlikely you'd think. We had the money in Jan so in theory fine this 3 year window. New rules are in year rather than over 3 so amortised fee would be the same for the in year assessment next year either way.

Prob more the injury concern and rightly so. If PSV had wanted us to have the injury risk for this season they should have F'ing sold him to us in Jan. They clearly want the money and the player wants the move. You'd imagine it just gets done when the season ends.

[jayffc]

https://x.com/peterrutzler/status/2035631412229869842?s=12

[RAY Rock]

Bin this off Fulham they are taking the complete 🤬 .

[ffc73]

If we want him & think he is worth it then take the risk and accept he is our player playing for them until the end of the season and for USA this summer.

As someone said earlier, similar to our player being out on loan.  Any player can get injured at any time, i.e. Seth Ridgeon.

Thiago at Brentford their big summer signing a couple of summers ago got injured pre-season and missed most of 24/25.  Seems to be working out for them in 25/26.

[iansthailand]

Glad we pulled out if he's injured as he seems like muniz an injury prone striker.
keep Raul and jka and ad seargent from Norwich.

Hasn't Sargent gone to a Canadian team?

[BarryP]

Glad we pulled out if he's injured as he seems like muniz an injury prone striker.
keep Raul and jka and ad seargent from Norwich.

Hasn't Sargent gone to a Canadian team?

He has