With deadline day fast approaching, Celtic are bracing themselves for a frantic finish to the window – and the latest name in the mix is Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Sky Sports report both Celtic and Rangers have lodged loan offers today for the 22-year-old, while Leicester City have also entered the race. French side Lyon are understood to be monitoring developments, adding further competition for his signature.
Rak-Sakyi, born in Southwark in 2002, has been highly regarded within the Palace setup since arriving from Chelsea’s youth ranks in 2019. A left-footed right winger, he has shown versatility across the front line, also operating on the left and in right midfield.
His most productive spell to date came on loan at Charlton Athletic during the 2022/23 campaign, where he scored 15 goals and registered nine assists in 49 games. A subsequent spell at Sheffield United in the Premier League provided top-flight experience, though injury interruptions limited his impact.
At international level, Rak-Sakyi has represented England at U20 and U21 level, scoring once in five games for the U20s and making two further appearances for the U21s. With Ghanaian heritage, he remains eligible for both nations at senior level.
For Celtic, the timing of this chase is crucial. Brendan Rodgers has been pushing for reinforcements out wide after losing Nicholas Kuhn earlier in the window and with uncertainty around depth on the right flank. Rak-Sakyi’s pace, directness and goal threat from wide areas tick many boxes for the Parkhead manager.
But the competition is fierce. Rangers are also in desperate need of wide reinforcements and see the Palace man as a key option. Leicester’s involvement complicates matters further, with the Foxes able to offer regular Championship football. Meanwhile, Lyon’s interest suggests Palace may consider a move abroad if the financial package is attractive.
Celtic fans will now watch on anxiously as deadline day unfolds. If Celtic can get this deal across the line, Rak-Sakyi could offer the spark and creativity that has been missing in wide areas. But with multiple clubs in the running, the race for his signature could go down to the wire.
The window shuts at 11pm on Monday night for the SPFL.
