The Crystal Palace winger, who played on loan at Sheffield United last season, may be heading back to the EFL Championship with Stoke City.
We’re into the closing stages of the January transfer window, with Celtic aiming to wrap up further deals before Monday night’s deadline.
The Hoops have already strengthened their squad by bringing in striker Tomáš Čvančara on loan with an option to buy from Borussia Mönchengladbach, along with defender Julián Araujo on loan from Bournemouth.
Even so, many fans believe the Scottish champions are still looking to add more new faces before the window shuts.
However, one player strongly linked with a move to Celtic could now be set for a different destination. After months of reports suggesting he was firmly on Celtic’s radar, the attacker appears more likely to end up in England’s second tier. As deadline day nears, Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is reportedly closing in on a move to Stoke City.
The 23-year-old has been mentioned as a Celtic target for some time and was also previously linked with a switch to Rangers, though that never came to fruition.
Earlier this season, Rak-Sakyi spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Turkish side Çaykur Rizespor, scoring four goals in 13 appearances. During the previous season, he featured for Sheffield United in the Championship, finding the net seven times in 36 matches across all competitions.
Now, a return to English football’s second division looks increasingly likely. Football Insider reports that Stoke City are leading the chase for the winger, with a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy said to be agreed, paving the way for a switch to the bet365 Stadium.
Former Celtic defender and coach Darren O’Dea recently shared his thoughts on Rak-Sakyi in an interview with the Daily Record, having previously come across him while working with Swansea City.
O’Dea suggested the player’s agent may be weighing up multiple options and predicted a late move. He indicated he wouldn’t be surprised to see Rak-Sakyi secure a transfer right near the deadline, noting that the winger has been available for a while and that prolonged negotiations often point to agent involvement.
Rak-Sakyi has spent his senior career with Crystal Palace, also enjoying a loan spell at Charlton Athletic before his time at Sheffield United.
He previously developed in Chelsea’s youth system before joining Palace and has earned two caps at England Under-21 level.
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