Big Rangers, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi update emerges - It may affect Southampton FC | OneFootball

Russell Martin's Rangers have put in a bid for the exciting 22-year-old winger

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin may be on the hunt to beat current Saints boss Will Still to winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, after a bid was lodged to bring the Crystal Palace man to Ibrox.

David Ornstein from The Athletic has reported that an initial loan deal was put forward by Rangers with an obligation to buy for up to £10 million. He also stated that the Eagles had rejected that offer.

Interest in Rak-Sakyi is large following a successful loan spell at Sheffield United, where he scored seven and assisted two in just 22 Championship starts.

But it looks like it'll take a lot more to secure his services away from Selhurst Park.

Rangers put in a bid for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

The Athletic have reported that this morning (July 24), Rangers have had a bid rejected for Rak-Sakyi.

An initial loan bid was put forward with an obligation to buy for £10 million, which Crystal Palace rejected.

This comes just days after Football Insider revealed that Will Still's Southampton were leading the race to secure the 22-year-old's services, bringing him back to a Championship promotion battle following a year at Sheffield United.

But it seems like the Scottish giants have been the first to formally put a bid in for the winger, whose future at Selhurst Park seems uncertain after his loan spell at Bramall Lane succeeded a campaign where he struggled with injury and was a fringe player among the Palace ranks when fit.

Whilst the exciting winger wasn't able to replicate his 15-goal, eight-assist League One campaign at Charlton Athletic last season, Rak-Sakyi still proved to be a key member of Chris Wilder's side, netting seven and assisting two in his debut Championship campaign.

Rangers may be a more exciting prospect for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this season

Despite their opening bid being rejected, Rangers are still said to be pursuing the 22-year-old, despite there still being interest from elsewhere.

Russell Martin's side looked comfortable in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round win over Panathinikos at Ibrox earlier this week, and look well positioned to move within one round of the tournament proper.

In that game, Djeidi Gassama, who also played in the Championship last season, but for Sheffield Wednesday, announced himself to Rangers fans with a stunning goal to give them the two-goal buffer they craved ahead of the return leg in Greece.

Someone like Rak-Sakyi could thrive in Russell Martin's style of play, and if all things go to plan for the SPL side, they'll be playing among Europe's elite next season, which would be a huge selling point for the 22-year-old.

Southampton could still lure him with the promise of regular Premier League football in a couple of seasons' time, but if Rangers up their pursuit, Martin could be looking at a steal from under the noses of his former employers.