Fulham target £40m-rated striker for January move – a year after West Ham failed to seal transfer for him

Fulham have rekindled interest in USA international striker Ricardo Pepi at PSV Eindhoven.

Coach Marco Silva is eager for the club to give him greater options up front with Raul Jimenez now 34 and Rodrigo Muniz coming back from a hamstring injury.

They have discussed Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, who worked with Silva previously at Everton, but are looking at Pepi once again after trying for the 22-year old last summer.

The PSV forward, nicknamed ‘El Toro’, hails from El Paso, Texas and although he was born in the USA he grew up watching Mexican football and even supported the Mexico national team as a boy.

He is rated around £35million to £40m by PSV and West Ham had an offer around £25m rejected a year ago.

Pepi has scored nine goals so far this season on the back of 17 in 28 games last season when he also picked up a knee injury.

But key will be whether PSV can be persuaded to sell. Pepi also wants to be settled with a World Cup place to play for.

Italy international Kean has some support within the Fulham backroom and scouting staff but that opinion is not shared by all.