Crystal Palace starlet Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has made his preference for a move to newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton clear, amid a transfer battle with Championship Leeds United, according to reports from Football Insider.
Rak-Sakyi impressed heavily on loan at Charlton Athletic throughout the 2022/23 campaign, with 15 goals in 49 appearances for the Addicks. As a result, the starlet has caught many plaudits at his parent club, while clubs are beginning to line up for the Englishman’s signature this summer.
The report states that Leeds United are interested in a loan move for the 21-year-old, whereas the Saints have seen a £7 million bid rejected by Crystal Palace. Russell Martin’s side are expected to come back with an improved offer imminently.
Despite the player’s preferred destination being Premier League football on the South Coast, this does not necessarily take a possible move to Elland Road completely off the table, with Palace wanting to keep hold of one of their biggest prospects, therefore favouring a loan move.
However, The Whites have reportedly been deterred by the player’s preference for Premier League football on the south coast. Despite this deterrence, Daniel Farke may have to make a final decision on the move quickly, with the forwards at Elland Road in high demand from higher up the food chain.
With Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville’s futures in West Yorkshire over the next month being quite uncertain, this may be a transfer that rapidly picks up, depending on events and outgoings elsewhere.
The outcome of this deal is a toss-up between the parent club and the player’s differing preferences, due to Oliver Glasner wanting to keep hold of the 21-year-old who has impressed throughout pre-season with the Eagles.
What has been said?
Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson recently spoke about his old club’s pursuit of the young attacker, stating:
“From what I’m hearing from Leeds, it would be a loan deal.
“I think that’s one the club will be looking to do, but they’ve been pushed away a little bit because I’m hearing the player’s preference is Southampton.
“Obviously, they’ve come in for a permanent deal but may also be looking to bring him in on loan [if they can’t reach an agreement with Palace].
“It will be hard for Leeds to make a move at this stage to get ahead of them as I’ve heard Rak-Sakyi would prefer the move to Southampton.”
Writer’s View
Rak-Sakyi is destined for Premier League football. When and who that will be with is another matter. The decision over Southampton’s incoming improved offer will be decisive in this story, as will Leeds’ decision on whether to continue their pursuit, with the possibility of star departures becoming a reality over August.
Nevertheless, Rak-Sakyi’s previous stint with Charlton and the excellent numbers he put up should be a sign that he could replace the likes of Summerville and Gnonto at Leeds United ahead of the forthcoming campaign.