Stoke City Secure Crystal Palace Winger Rak-Sakyi in January Transfer Coup
Crystal Palace forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has decided to join Stoke City on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, bringing an end to the transfer race that had seen Celtic and Swansea City heavily linked with the player. The 23-year-old winger, a product of the Palace academy, is set to leave Selhurst Park permanently after seven years with the club, marking a significant move in the closing days of the January transfer window.
Celtic and Swansea City Handed Transfer Blow
Both Celtic and Swansea City had targeted Rak-Sakyi this month, but they are now set to miss out on the deal. The Championship outfit Swansea City had reportedly agreed a deal earlier in January, but it fell through as Rak-Sakyi was unconvinced by the move to South Wales. Celtic had been frequently credited with interest in the forward, but their pursuit has been overtaken by Stoke City's successful bid.
Journalist Joe Krishnan reported on social media platform X that Rak-Sakyi has chosen Stoke City, with the Potters aware of his knee issue but willing to take the risk to sign him. There was late interest from Monaco, but the player had already committed to Stoke. Several Turkish teams were also keen after his bright loan spell at Caykur Rizespor, where he scored four goals in 11 games this season.
Rak-Sakyi's Career Path and Palace's Transfer Strategy
Rak-Sakyi has never made a significant impact on Crystal Palace's first team, with just 10 goalless appearances to his name. He has enjoyed loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns respectively. Palace recalled him from Rizespor this month hoping to negotiate a permanent sale, and this deal with Stoke City allows him to finally move on.
Crystal Palace are expecting a busy end to the January transfer window, with both outgoings and incomings at Selhurst Park before the market slams shut. All eyes remain on talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is keen to move away amid interest from Nottingham Forest and AC Milan. The Eagles have received multiple bids for the 28-year-old, who has eight top-flight goals this season.
Any departure for Mateta will only be given the green light if Crystal Palace find a suitable replacement, with Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen emerging as a likely candidate this week with a £50 million fee touted. In other news, Coventry City had been linked with Rak-Sakyi but instead signed Romain Esse on loan from Palace.
