Crystal Palace reject Rangers bid for star with 'great potential' as West Ham 'in talks' with 111 G/A ace
The latest transfer news from Crystal Palace and West Ham United
Crystal Palace have rejected a bid from Rangers to sign 22-year-old winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, it has been reported.
The Southwark-born gem has spent the last two of the last three seasons out on loan in the Football League, first with Charlton Athletic in 2022-23 and then last campaign he was part of the Sheffield United side who reached the Championship play-off final.
He was a player in high demand 12 months ago, with several top-level Championship sides making a move with the winger eventually opting for a temporary switch to South Yorkshire. Southampton, who were in the Premier League at the time, also made an attempt to sign him.
Now he is being eyed by Scottish giants Rangers. David Ornstein of The Athletic has reported an initial bid has been made by the Ibrox club. He notes the offer is to take the player on loan with a potential obligation to buy worth up to £10m. However, it’s an offer the Eagles have firmly knocked back but Rangers pursuit of the player is described as ‘ongoing’.
Rak-Sakyi has ‘great potential’
The winger is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027 and has made 10 senior appearances for the club. The Eagles feel Omari Hutchinson’s £20m move from Chelsea to Ipswich Tow last summer is the benchmark for a potential deal.
After a draw with Nottingham Forest during the 2023-24 season when Rak-Sakyi was handed a few opportunities at Palace, Marc Guehi said of him: “We've got a lot of good players – credit to Jes. He came on and he was our best player on the pitch, so credit to him but we can look ourselves in the mirror and say we could have done better.
“He's a top player with great potential and the club has high hopes for him so hopefully he can take his opportunity.”
West Ham in talks with free agent Callum Wilson
In other news, West Ham United are in talks with former Newcastle United and Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, according to a report from BBC Sport.
The 33-year-old has scored 88 goals and provided 23 assists in the Premier League over the course of his career but was let go by Newcastle at the end of his most recent contract. He is said be attracting interest from other clubs in the Premier League as well as the MLS.
The Hammers need a more potent goal threat heading into next season. Evan Ferguson joined on loan in January but a permanent move has not been explored with the Republic of Ireland international heading to AS Roma in Serie A. Danny Ings has also moved on.
Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters and Daniel Cummings have all joined the Irons this summer. Wilson can offer experience in front of goal but has had his problems with injury as he only made 18 league appearances last campaign.