Leicester City should move for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after Kasey McAteer loss | OneFootball

Leicester City should target Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as Kasey McAteer's replacement.

Leicester City should turn their attentions to Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after Kasey McAteer's departure.

Following a difficult 2024/25 campaign in which they suffered their second relegation from the Premier League in three years, Leicester have undergone a difficult summer with the departure of numerous key players.

Long-term servants Jamie Vardy, Wilfried Ndidi and Danny Ward have all departed the club this summer, along with the multi-million-pound deals for Mads Hermansen, James Justin and Kasey McAteer.

McAteer, in particular, leaves a gap to be filled on the wings in the Foxes squad, with Moroccan winger Bilal El-Khannouss also potentially leaving the club before the deadline, having not been made available for selection in their 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend and again v Birmingham City.

With El-Khannouss potentially not to be a Leicester player past the 7pm deadline on September 1st, this leaves just Abdul Fatawu, 16-year-old Jeremy Monga and Stephy Mavididi as the club's only natural options on the wing, the latter of which missed the Charlton game due to injury.

21-year-old winger Silko Thomas, who spent last season on loan with Wigan Athletic in League One without scoring a goal, was introduced late from the bench in their most recent game but is unlikely to be the club's preferred option moving forward.

Leicester City can take advantage of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi's situation

With Leicester's current options, or lack of, a move for Crystal Palace winger Rak-Sakyi could be a smart pickup for the Foxes between now and the deadline.

Rak-Sakyi, 22, spent last season on loan with Sheffield United in the Championship and made 34 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting a further two in the league as the Blades secured a third-place finish on 90 points. He wasn't a go-to starter for Chris Wilder at all last season, and has probably seen a couple of years frustratingly pass him by after tearing it up in League One with Charlton Athletic (15 goals and eight assists) in 2022/23.

The winger, now back at Selhurst Park, does not appear to be in Oliver Glasner's plans this season, despite the recent departure of Eberechi Eze.

Rak-Sakyi was named on the bench for Palace's opening day goalless draw away to Chelsea and then the Eagles' first-ever competitive European match against Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad, but was not able to earn any minutes on the pitch.

He was most recently left out of Palace's 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest, in what may have been a clear statement from manager Glasner in regard to Rak-Sakyi's position with the club.

Still under contract until 2027, Rak-Sakyi has been the subject of interest from Scottish side Rangers. However, with Leicester having made just one signing so far this summer in 38-year-old backup goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, the Foxes can almost certainly afford a loan.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would provide some much-needed depth and quality to the Leicester City attack

Able to play on either wing but best off the right where he can cut in on his left, Rak-Sakyi would offer an alternative to Fatawu on the right and add competition to Mavididi and Monga on the left.

The former England Under-21 international has already played 43 times in League One for Charlton and 34 times in the Championship for Sheffield United, and with him still yet to be trusted in the top flight, another season in the Championship may be best for his development.

Whether Palace will sanction a permanent switch or a loan move remains to be seen, but with two years remaining on his deal, they now need to make the decision whether to cash-in on him now, or allow him another loan to further his development before making a decision. A loan might suit Leicester better at this point.

Whatever the case, Rak-Sakyi would add some much-needed depth and quality to a Leicester attack, and with the Foxes looking at seeing El Khannouss potentially move after McAteer, a move for the Englishman could prove to be a savvy bit of business.