Oh Hyun-gyu Emerges as Fulham Target After PSV Deal for Ricardo Pepi Collapses
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Fulham is poised to renew its interest in KRC Genk striker Oh Hyun-gyu following the breakdown of a deal to bring Ricardo Pepi to the Premier League club, according to reports surfacing on February 2nd. The unexpected turn of events leaves Fulham urgently seeking attacking reinforcements as they push for a coveted Champions League spot.
Pepi Transfer Falls Apart at the Last Minute
A transfer agreement for Pepi, reportedly worth €37 million (approximately $64 billion won), had been reached between Fulham and PSV Eindhoven. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported that “all personal conditions” were finalized, with the remaining hurdle being PSV’s ability to secure a replacement player. However, Rick Elfrink, a journalist specializing in PSV news, revealed via social media that the Dutch club ultimately rejected Fulham’s offer. “PSV has finally rejected Fulham’s offer for Ricardo Pepi,” Elfrink stated, adding that the decision was “confirmed by multiple sources across multiple continents.”
The collapse of the Pepi deal stems from PSV’s assessment that finding a suitable replacement within the current transfer window proved too challenging.
Fulham Shifts Focus to Oh Hyun-gyu
With the Pepi transfer off the table, Fulham is now expected to quickly pivot its attention back to Oh Hyun-gyu. “Sky Sports” reported on January 26th, alongside coverage of the Pepi negotiations, that Fulham had already engaged in “positive conversations” with Genk regarding the South Korean forward.
Oh Hyun-gyu has enjoyed a strong season with Genk, starting and scoring 10 goals in 21 official matches. His contract with the Belgian club extends through the summer of 2028, but Genk appears open to considering offers.
Urgent Need for Attacking Reinforcements
Fulham’s pursuit of a new striker is driven by the absence of Rodrygo Muniz, whose return from injury is still uncertain. Currently eighth in the league with a record of 10 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses (34 points), Fulham finds itself only seven points behind fourth-place Manchester United – the final qualifying position for the UEFA Champions League. This proximity to the Champions League places underscores the club’s need to bolster its attacking options immediately.
One analyst noted that the recruitment of Oh Hyun-gyu represents a “sufficiently reasonable choice” given the circumstances. Furthermore, reports from Turkey indicate that Genk is also in negotiations with Besiktas, suggesting the club is preparing for the possibility of a departure.
The scenario of Oh Hyun-gyu joining Fulham appears increasingly likely as the winter transfer window nears its close. Could a dramatic turnaround unfold before the deadline?
