Ricardo Pepi is reportedly a target for Champions League hopefuls Lazio as the American looks set to leave Bundesliga side Augsburg this summer. 

The 20-year-old forward from El Paso, Texas has spent this season on loan at Eredivisie side Groningen and has starred for the Pride of the North, scoring 12 goals in 26 league outings.

According to the Italian website Calcioline, Pepi’s form has attracted the attention of former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, who is on the lookout for a new striker following a dip in form this season to club captain Ciro Immobile, who has only scored 10 goals this term, compared to a superb total of 32 in all competitions last season.

Serie A side Lazio interested in Ricardo Pepi

And the two-times Serie A champions look set to offer the American hitman the opportunity of Champions League football next season, currently sitting third in the table three points clear of fifth-placed AC Milan with only four matches left to play.

Pepi became the most expensive American MLS player to sign for a European club when he was bought by German side Augsburg for $20m and despite scoring three goals in USMNT’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup, Pepi was not selected in Gregg Berhalter’s final 26 man squad for the finals in Qatar.