What next for USMNT players at PSV Eindhoven? Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman

PSV Eindhoven could wrap up the Dutch league title with a win on Thursday, clinching their first championship since 2017/18. Peter Bosz’s side have been the outstanding team in Holland this year, winning 26 of their 30 Eredivisie Games to date.

Their dominant form has brought greater attention for the trio of Americans in the PSV squad: Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman. They have played their part in PSV’s success this season and stand to win major silverware but, for different reasons, all three may soon find themselves leaving Eindhoven.

Will Sergiño Dest go back to Barcelona?

Although he has not made an appearance for the LaLiga side since the 2021/22 campaign, Sergiño Dest is still a Barcelona player. Dest grew up in the Netherlands and came through the ranks at Ajax, impressing as a young player and securing a big-money move to Barcelona.

However he struggled for form in Spain and endured a disastrous spell with AC Milan in 2022/23, playing just eight league Games all season. The subsequent loan move to PSV has proved much more fruitful and he has made 24 Eredivisie appearances, nailing down a starting berth until suffering an “apparently serious knee injury” that looks set to keep him out for months to come.

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The Athletic reports that Dest may not be fit to return until 2025, ruling him out of this summer’s Copa America and making an extension at PSV seem unlikely. Dest has one year remaining on his current Barcelona deal and looks set to return to the club until he has completed his rehabilitation.

Agent warns of Ricardo Pepi transfer wish

On paper, Ricardo Pepi’s 23 league appearances and seven goals does not seem like a bad return for a 21-year-old still finding his feet in Europe. However he has only made one Eredivisie start this season and his goals has often come as a late substitute, when PSV already held a comfortable lead.

As a result the 2021 MLS Young Player of the Year has slipped down the pecking order for USMNT and his place at this summer’s Copa America appears to be under threat. In response Pepi’s agent, Jaime Garcia, revealed that the player would be forced to consider a move elsewhere if his playing time does not increase.

“With the Copa America this year and the World Cup in two years’ time in your own country, there are two great tournaments coming up. Ricardo wants and needs to be there. That’s why it can’t continue like this. He will have to take a step in his career. That’s just normal,” Garcia said earlier this month.

Will Malik Tillman go back to Bayern Munich?

In contrast to Pepi’s struggles, compatriot Malik Tillman has had plenty of chances for PSV this year and the on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder has impressed. The 21-year-old has provided seven goals and ten assists in 24 league Games, making him one of the most creative players in the Eredivisie.

PSV would almost certainly be keen to keep him but Tillman’s parent club will consider bringing him back into the fold after an impressive season. Dutch newspaper Ed.nl reports that PSV have a $15.3 million purchase clause in the deal but Bayern, in turn, can negate the clause by paying a modest opt-out fee.

Bayern Munich are expected to part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season after the Bavarians finally lost their grip on the Bundesliga title. The latest reports suggest that Ralf Rangnick is among the favourites to replace Tuchel, and the experienced Austrian could well have the final say on Tillman’s future.