Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is attracting interest this summer with a host of clubs including Leeds United, Southampton, Sheffield United, Hull City and Charlton Athletic all reportedly in the race to secure the England Under-20 international on loan ahead of the new campaign.
The 21-year-old had a successful loan spell at Charlton Atheltic in 2022/23 and the Addicks had reportedly been in the race to sign Rak-Sakyi if he were to depart this summer but it appears that the Eagles prefer a loan move to a Championship club for the next stage of his development.
Charlton Athletic Loan Spell Highlights Potential of Premier League Winger
The former Chelsea academy player had been one of the most promising prospects in the country when he announced himself with eight goals and eight assists in 16 appearances for a Crystal Palace Under-18 side that missed out on a place in the play-off final in 2021 on goal difference.
The left-footed winger was starring as a left winger and continued his ascent with an incredible 2021/22 Premier League 2 season. He scored 18 goals and provided five assists which included a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Derby County and two goals and two assists in a 6-1 win over Leicester City. In 25 appearances, he was involved in a goal in 17 outings and it was only a matter of time before an EFL club scooped him up on a loan deal.
Charlton Athletic were his destination as he looked for regular first-team football and this is where everyone started to take notice of the sensation. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi scored on his League One debut in a 5-1 win over Plymouth. He would go on to score 15 times in his first season in senior football, providing a further eight assists in a real breakthrough campaign.
He was a major threat in attacking areas, ranking in the top five of all wingers with more than 15 appearances in League One for shots per game, first for successful dribbles per game, and in the top ten for key passes per game. He was undoubtedly Charlton’s star player that season and it was no surprise that Crystal Palace decided to keep him in the squad last season.
Rak-Sakyi made six Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace before injury all but ended his campaign and now it appears he will be gaining experience in the second tier, a level that he has looked more than capable of starring at in his short career to date.
Next Move Key for Rak-Sakyi Career
The player will turn 22 in October and still has a further three years on his deal at Crystal Palace. He would be a star player for Charlton Athletic if they could agree a move for the winger but according to Alan Nixon, there are a host of Championship clubs interested after Rak-Sakyi failed to feature under Oliver Glasner in pre-season.
Southampton were rebuffed as they looked to sign him on a permanent deal per the report. Watford appear to have depth in the right-wing role with more of an opening on the left while Chris Wilder’s preference for three at the back may see the player utilised as a wing-back, which wouldn’t suit the skillset he has displayed so far.
Hull City’s new manager Tim Walter needs additions in wide areas and there does appear to be a clear pathway to regular football here, while the same could be said of Queens Park Rangers. Leeds United is an interesting one as they appear stacked on the right wing but have players that can cover both sides.
QPR and Hull are the best options for almost guaranteed first-team football but considering the promise and talent Rak-Sakyi has displayed in his short career to date he should get opportunities wherever he decides to accept a loan move.