Exclusive: Leader named in Stoke City & Celtic race to sign Crystal Palace star
Stoke City are the current front-runners to agree a deal for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi despite long-term interest from Celtic.
Crystal Palace are holding out for an £8million obligation to buy in any deal for the 23-year-old, with Stoke weighing up making a formal approach.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Stoke’s interest has emerged after a move to Swansea fell through in the late stages.
Celtic attempted to sign Rak-Sakyi on loan during last summer’s transfer window, but ultimately missed out before he joined Turkish outfit Caykur Rizespor.
Following his return to Selhurst Park, however, there is now a multi-club race for his signature with Mark Robins‘ side hopeful of beating off their rivals.
Stoke City and Celtic race to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 16 January that Stoke have made a move to sign Rak-Sakyi and believe he would be open to a move to the Bet365 Stadium.
The winger has a contract at Selhurst Park until 2027, and is expected to spend the second half of the season away from Palace if terms can be agreed.
Celtic are also still interested, but while they remain a way off of Palace’s demands, Stoke could capitalise by moving quickly to reach an agreement.
As I revealed on the Transfer Insider podcast, “Yeah again he’s a player that Celtic have looked at for a while. They considered him in the summer but weren’t able to get a deal done.
“The problem for Celtic right now is they would prefer a loan with no obligation in the deal.
“Crystal Palace are insisting that if he is to go out on loan again this window, they want an obligation included in that deal of around £8million which Celtic are not willing to do.
“Stoke are the ones who are leading the race for Rak-Sakyi.
“They might be willing to take that player on loan and have an obligation as part of that deal which obviously Crystal Palace are insisting on.
“So yeah I think right now it’s probably looking more likely that he will leave Crystal Palace but obviously that obligation as part of the loan is the sticking point for the interested clubs.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta could leave Crystal Palace
Rak-Sakyi is not the only Crystal Palace player who could be on his way out of Selhurst Park this month amid ongoing speculation about Jean-Philippe Mateta.
However, Football Insider revealed on 23 January that Crystal Palace have no plans to lose Mateta this month and would be more open to selling him in the summer.
If they can persuade him to stay until the end of the season, they will open the door to his departure in the next window, having already rebuffed offers this month.
That came following reports that the France international has asked to leave Palace amid interest from the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Aston Villa.
Despute that, Oliver Glasner has since claimed that the striker has not handed in a transfer request and insisted no bid was made by Juventus or any other club.
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