Brighton’s pursuit of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Foxes’ standout midfield player, is expected to cause problems if he decides to join the Seagulls. The Foxes’ closest competitors in the standings are Southampton and Ipswich Town.
And in the last week of the transfer window, the two might be going up against each other for a player who, given the opportunity, has the ability to change the course of the game.
Both the Tractor Boys and Saints are eager to add Crystal Palace’s quick-witted winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi to their roster for the remainder of the season, according to a social media post on X by former Sunday Mirror Sports Editor Darren Witcoop. The South London Press was the first to report Southampton’s interest in the player.
The 21-year-old had an outstanding 2022–23 League One season with Charlton Athletic, where he scored 15 goals in the league and was named Addicks Player of the Season. Following this, he was a top target for several Championship clubs in the summer, including both of the aforementioned teams who want him again.
Rak-Sakyi played six Premier League games under Roy Hodgson, coming off the bench in each of those games. However, in the end, he stayed at Selhurst Park for the first half of this season despite a move being agreed upon with Leicester City, as Palace did not get the transfer targets they had hoped for.
Unfortunately, Rak-Sakyi suffered a hamstring injury during training in early November, which has kept him out of action ever since. This means Palace and Hodgson have one fewer wide option.
With Rak-Sakyi now closing in on a return to action, with a February date pencilled in, he could now head out on loan for game-time at a Championship club, and promotion-chasing sides are looking for an extra edge in the attacking areas of the pitch.
Rak-Sakyi fits the exact profile of attacking player that the Saints have been unsuccessfully trying to add to their squad this month, so it’s not a shock that he is on their list.
Russell Martin wants a left-footed wide player who can cut in from the right and make things happen, and Rak-Sakyi definitely did that for Charlton – albeit in League One.
Manuel Benson and David Brooks have been wanted by the Saints, but Rak-Sakyi feels like a more attainable target if Palace make him definitively available in the final few days of the transfer window, although there will be plenty of competition for that signature.
However, with Kieran McKenna’s current array of wide options, it’s difficult to see Rak-Sakyi showing up at Portman Road.
Rak-Sakyi wouldn’t be a bad addition to the glut of talent that Ipswich already has competing for starting spots: Nathan Broadhead, Wes Burns, Omari Hutchinson, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Marcus Harness.
However, don’t be shocked if other teams enter the race to sign Rak-Sakyi in the coming days; if he becomes available, there may be a big last-minute scramble.
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