"Ambitious" - Pundit reflects on Portsmouth pursuit of Crystal Palace talent | OneFootball

Football pundit Carlton Palmer has given his reaction to the news that Portsmouth are chasing Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this summer.

News first broke of Pompey's interest in the former Charlton Athletic loanee via the Portsmouth News, who described the player as someone that "John Mousinho would love to have at Fratton Park next season."

Although there is interest from Portsmouth in the 21-year-old, they won't be hanging their hat on getting him as, if he becomes available, the likes of Leicester City, Sunderland and Hull City are expected to also go after him, according to the News.

This is all dependent on whether he becomes available for another loan move, which could depend on the movements of other Palace players.

Michael Olise and Ebere Eze could depart Selhurst Park this summer, which would leave the Eagles short of attacking, wide options. Because of this, Portsmouth don't expect any move for the youngster to come together until nearer the 1st September deadline, as Palace may realise that they need more bodies in that area, and therefore decide to keep him.

Carlton Palmer: Rak-Sakyi an ambitious option

Palmer believes that Rak-Sakyi needs to go out on loan to increase his time on the pitch, in order to help his development, and that ending up at Fratton Park could be a good option for him.

Speaking to Football League World, he said: "Portsmouth have joined the race to join exciting Crystal Palace winger Rak-Sakyi. They're going to face competition. It's already come out that Leicester, Sunderland and Hull are all interested in taking the young player on loan.

"It's going to be a big summer of recruitment for Portsmouth, and they want to bring in the right players. They will lose Abu Kamara. I think they will try to bring him back on loan, but they've got to keep their options open.

"One player that would certainly be an ideal replacement, and he would be a fans' favourite, would be Rak-Sakyi., but they're going to face serious competition from other clubs in that league and above.

"The player needs to get out. He needs to play regular first team football to continue his education, to continue his improvement, and I'm sure that they will want to throw their hat in the ring.

"They know that it is an ambitious move, but with the young guy struggling for game time, it's right for him to go out on loan and get the necessary experience.

"Portsmouth, who have had a fantastic season, they've romped to the title, have played some excellent football, and it would be a great move for him."

Portsmouth could use previous Palace negotiations to their advantage

It has also been reported that Pompey are interested in signing another young talent from the London-based club: Jadan Raymond.

The League One winners are said to still have an interest in the midfielder, whose contract with Palace expires at the end of next season, after making an unsuccessful attempt to buy him in the January window.

Portsmouth will know how Rak-Sakyi's club operate in these deals, and the people involved in them. There is a pre-existing relationship, which should help their case if the winger becomes available.

His loan spell with Charlton in the 22/23 campaign certainly suggested that he was ready for a step-up to a second tier loan move, but he ended up staying with his parent club.

A move to Leicester would be a big one for Palace to commission, given that they will be in the same league; if he can be useful for the Foxes, he could surely do the same for the Eagles.

So Pompey's main competition will be Sunderland and Hull. They will do well to outbid those two, but the relationship between the two negotiating clubs, in this instance, should play into Mousinho's side's favour.