---
title: "Leeds: Whites move for Ricardo Pepi played down"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-premier-league-ricardo-pepi-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-11-22T12:40:24Z"
modified: "2022-11-22T12:40:24Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites move for Ricardo Pepi played down

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) should decide against making a move for FC Augsburg striker Ricardo Pepi, according to transfer expert [Dean Jones](https://twitter.com/DeanJonesSoccer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor).**

### The Lowdown: Pepi on the move?

Jesse Marsch could look to make attacking reinforcements at Elland Road in the upcoming transfer windows, with a lack of firepower evident at times during the current campaign with Patrick Bamford struggling with fitness and form.

Pepi is currently on loan at FC Groningen but missed out on a place in the USA’s [2022 World Cup](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/world-cup-2022/) squad, having not done enough to justify being called up.

He is [expected](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1588167445361004544?s=20&t=y1NATq7eUNym34k9uHUwQg) to leave Augsburg next summer, however, and there is always the possibility that Marsch could eye up a move for his compatriot.

### The Latest: Jones plays down Leeds transfer

Speaking to *[Give Me Sport](https://www.givemesport.com/88086277-leeds-marsch-wont-take-risk-on-move-for-12-cap-usa-star)*, though, Jones said he finds it difficult to see Leeds moving for Pepi currently:

> “Pepi’s goal record since moving to Europe overall is not convincing, I know he’s started to score a moment, but the sample size that we’ve got is probably too small to take a chance on based on what we saw last season.
>
> “Pepi was supposed to be the answer to the USMNT’s striking problems, but he hasn’t been able to show that that’s definitely the case.
>
> “I don’t think personally that Jesse Marsch should probably take a risk on him.”

[![Latest Leeds United updates](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-copy/)

### The Verdict: Not done enough

Pepi has been a highly-rated young player for some time, being [hailed](https://twitter.com/ChampsHouseCBS/status/1435379074336280576?s=20&t=-P2Iq0_3kFbEScBE-wGETw) as the ‘best natural finisher’ in the USA’s history by former defender Heath Pearce.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”415592″\]

Whether or not the 19-year-old is ready to star in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) at this moment in time is certainly up for debate, however, both in terms of physicality and all-round quality.

He [hasn’t scored in 16 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ricardo-pepi/alletore/spieler/627207) for Augsburg, which speaks volumes, and while seven in 10 is a good return for Groningen, there may well be better options out there for Marsch to bring in.