New twist emerges in Stoke City pursuit of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi - it’s bad news for Celtic | OneFootball

Stoke City are leading the race for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this month

A fresh update has emerged involving Stoke City's ongoing pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, in which they are facing reported competition from Scottish giants Celtic.

The Englishman spent the first half of the campaign on loan in the Turkish top flight with Rizespor, but was recalled by the Eagles earlier this month, with the expectation that he would head out on yet another loan.

Formerly of the likes of Charlton Athletic and last term's play-off finalists Sheffield United, it appears as though a return to the Championship beckons and Stoke have been continually linked to the talented wide-man.

Swansea City had emerged as contenders for his signature, but the Welsh outfit failed to come to an agreement for Rak-Sakyi and pulled out of any potential deal.

Now, however, a new twist in the saga has emerged.

Stoke City lead Celtic in the race for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s signature this month

Stoke City are reportedly leading the race for Rak-Sakyi, with the Potters currently ahead Celtic to obtain his signature.

As per Football Insider's Pete O’Rourke, Stoke are the club leading the way to sign the out-of-favour Crystal Palace winger i this month.

Indeed, it looks as though Mark Robins’ Stoke have their noses in front in the race for the Palace man.

Rak-Sakyi, 23, is no stranger to the Championship, having spent last season on loan at Bramall Lane with Sheffield United, scoring seven and assisting twice in 35 league appearances as the Blades narrowly missed out on promotion in the play-off final.

Prior to that, the former England youth international spent the 2022/23 season on loan in League One with Charlton Athletic, scoring 15 and assisting eight, emerging as one of the brightest young talents in the country.

Despite this, Rak-Sakyi has never been able to nail down a place in the Palace side, and now looks to be once again heading out on loan this winter, with the Premier League side keen to insert an £8 million obligation-to-buy clause into any deal for the winger.

An £8 million fee would make Rak-Sakyi Stoke’s most expensive signing since their first season back in the Championship, after the Potters signed both Benik Afobe and Tom Ince for fees upwards of that.

Whether Stoke will be willing to accept such an offer remains to be seen, though Celtic are not keen on those terms as things stand, giving the Potters a slight edge in the race.

Stoke have made two additions already this month, namely Gavin Bazunu on loan from Southampton and Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit, with an obligation to buy in the summer.

The Potters’ squad has been ravaged by injuries in recent weeks, meaning winger Lamine Cisse has had to deputise up front, Tommy Simkin has returned to his place in goal, and both Bosun Lawal and Maksym Talovierov, who are both naturally centre-backs, have had to cover at full-back.

It has been far from ideal for Stoke, who look well-placed to mount a play-off push this campaign, albeit they have now fallen to 10th in the league table, their lowest position they have occupied after a gameweek so far this season.

With Smit’s arrival, it’s expected that Cisse will go back on the wing, though interest in Rak-Sakyi suggests that his place in the side is far from nailed down.

Sorba Thomas has locked down the left flank, whilst Million Manhoef has offered competition off the right, though the Dutchman has frustrated throughout the campaign.

Should the Palace winger indeed join, it may well spell the end of Manhoef’s Stoke career, with Rak-Sakyi most effective when cutting in on his left off the right.

As things stand, it is Robins’ side who remain in front in the pursuit of the 23-year-old, though whether they are willing to agree to the £8 million obligation to buy the Palace man remains to be seen.