As a hardcore Football Manager 2026 addict, I’ve spent countless hours scouring the global database for under-the-radar strikers who can turn a mid-table Premier League side into European contenders. When I saw the real-world news that Everton are tracking PSV Eindhoven’s Ricardo Pepi, my heart skipped a beat. Finally, a move that mirrors exactly what I’d do in my own save! Let me break down why this 22-year-old American could be the missing puzzle piece for David Moyes’ Everton in our 2025/26 timeline.

First, let’s set the stage. It’s January 2026, and Everton are sitting comfortably in eighth place at the halfway point of the Premier League campaign. Not bad for their debut season at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium. But under the hood, the numbers scream for a clinical finisher. The Toffees have scored just 20 goals in 19 league matches—that’s barely over a goal per game. As any FM player knows, a low shot-conversion rate is a red flag. I’ve been there: you dominate possession, create chances, but your striker just can’t find the net. It’s infuriating.

The current options up front tell a grim story. Summer signing Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal with a big price tag but has managed only two goals all season. In my FM file, I’d have already transfer-listed him for “inconsistent performances.” Beto, once a promising target man, has been something of a ghost with just one Premier League goal and now finds himself as a backup. That’s not frontline quality for a club with ambitions to push into the top six or higher. The Friedkin Group knows this and has reportedly sanctioned January deals. Smart.

Enter Ricardo Pepi, a name I’ve followed since his teenage days in MLS with FC Dallas. In FM terms, his attributes scream “wonderkid turned dangerous Advanced Forward.” He’s not just a poacher; his off-the-ball movement and link-up play are elite. Looking at real-life stats for the 2025/26 campaign: Pepi has already bagged ten goals across the Eredivisie and Champions League for PSV. That’s a man in form. And his career trajectory? Let’s put it in a table that would make any scout report shine:

Attribute	Statistical Evidence	FM Comparison
Finishing	36 goals in 89 PSV apps; 13 in 31 at Groningen	16–17 Finishing
Consistency	Scored at every club except a brief Augsburg spell	Professional Personality
Link-Up Play	Thrives with runners like Ndiaye & Grealish types	14 Passing, 15 Off the Ball
Potential	Only 22, described as “incredibly prolific”	★★★★☆ Potential

I can already picture Pepi in my 4-2-3-1 gegenpress tactic, feeding off through balls from Jack Grealish (who loves to drift inside) and Iliman Ndiaye. The prospect of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arriving late into the box with Pepi as a decoy? Mouthwatering. In my current Everton save, I’m stuck with an aging, immobile striker, and I’d sell my virtual captain to afford Pepi’s transfer fee.

Speaking of fees, Fulham have already tested the waters with a formal £26.2 million bid. PSV rejected it outright. That tells me the Dutch club values him highly—maybe in the £35–40 million range. Is that expensive? For a 22-year-old who already has Champions League experience and a finishes with both feet, I’d pay it without blinking. Cash flow might be tight under Financial Fair Play, but selling a fringe player or two in the game makes it work. In real life, Everton might need to be creative with installments or add-ons. But the potential reward is massive.

What really excites me as a gamer is Pepi’s mental resilience. He flopped at Augsburg early in his European journey, then rebuilt himself in the Netherlands. FM attributes like Determination and Composure would skyrocket. He’s the kind of striker who doesn’t disappear when the team is under pressure. Against low blocks—Everton’s nightmare—his movement in tight spaces could unlock defenses that Barry and Beto simply can’t.

I’ve run the simulations in my head a dozen times. Signing Pepi would instantly elevate Everton’s xG conversion and boost the morale of the entire squad. A player with his energy makes wingers and attacking midfielders more dangerous because defenders can’t just sit deep. Suddenly, Moyes’ side could go from mid-table mediocrity to genuine Conference League contenders for next season.

Of course, the real world is trickier than a video game. Other clubs may enter the race. But if the Friedkin Group moved fast and paid the premium, they’d secure a striker who could lead the line for the next five years. My gut says Pepi wants the Premier League, and Goodison Park’s modern successor could be the perfect stage. Looking at his recent celebration photo, you can see the hunger in his eyes—that raw emotion when he scores for the US national team. He wants big moments.

To wrap up my scouting report: Ricardo Pepi is not just a January panic buy. He’s a calculated signing that would redefine Everton’s attack. My FM tactics board is already open, waiting for the announcement. If this deal happens, I’ll be starting a new save just to relive it. David Moyes, if you’re listening—push that budget slider to the max and get your man! 🎮⚽