Why Stoke City ace could be angry with Crystal Palace transfer development | OneFootball

Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi looks like sealing a move to Stoke City ahead of Swansea City but one man won't be pleased with the development.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has had plenty of interest from Championship clubs, but Stoke City have won the race for the Crystal Palace winger in January.

In terms of wide players, Stoke have had plenty of output so far in 2025/26. Mark Robins has the likes of Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef as his starting wingers, with Jun-ho Bae and Lamine Cisse also able to operate out wide.

The productivity of Thomas and Manhoef has been one of the most consistent aspects of the campaign so far, with the Welshman in particular hitting his stride in what is the best season of his career so far.

Rak-Sakyi, meanwhile, is embarking on his third EFL loan away from Palace. He spent 2022/23 on loan at Charlton Athletic, scoring 15 and assisting a further nine in 49 matches.

Last season, while playing under Chris Wilder at Sheffield United, Rak-Sakyi scored seven and assisted two in 36 matches. Now a 23-year-old, Rak-Sakyi has the opportunity to kick on with Stoke in the second half of 2025/26.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi signing could be an issue for Stoke City's Million Manhoef

Pete O'Rourke revealed the following in recent days, stating Swansea City had pulled out of the race to sign Rak-Sakyi. That's despite emerging as the frontrunners at one stage in the last week.

The saga then took another turn when Stoke were revealed to be Rak-Sakyi's preference. The play-off chasers have been between first and 10th for every matchday of the season so far.

It will add another layer to the Stoke forward line with a profile of player who is capable of dribbling and carrying the ball, and it will also add to the depth of options available to Robins.

That being said, Manhoef has made the berth on the right of the attack his own, with many of Rak-Sakyi's strengths very similar to that of the Dutchman. They are both direct and quick, with ball-carrying a particular aspect of progressing the ball.

Manhoef may not have set the world alight in the way Thomas has with goals and assists as regularly, but he's kicked on this season. He looks well on course to beat his 12 goal involvements from last season, too.

Once Rak-Sakyi arrives, Manhoef's place in the starting lineup could be in jeopardy. Even with the need for competition out wide, Manhoef is proving to be a quality — and improving — Championship operator.

Stoke should want to develop their player over Crystal Palace's

Robins could well end up benching his Dutch winger in favour of the shiny new winger signing, which Manhoef obviously won't want. That's especially true considering the rhythm and consistency he has started to find in a Stoke shirt.

Robins could utilise one of them down the left, but neither are as well-suited to that role. That's because they are left-footed and keen to cut inside to do damage on the opposition.

It would also mean benching who has arguably been the club's best player this season, which doesn't seem likely. Competition for places is usually an extremely positive thing, but Manhoef's improvement is largely down to retaining his place in the team.

Manhoef recently turned 24 but he is an asset belonging to the club and one with resale value, whereas Rak-Sakyi is merely a loan until the end of the season. That also has to be a consideration for Robin and the club between now and May.

Manhoef will be disappointed that this deal is going through, but it's his job to now rise to the challenge and maintain the position as his own.