Rangers Have Identified This Crystal Palace Youngster As One of Their Attacking Targets: What Should The Gers Do? | OneFootball

If a recent report from The Scottish Sun is believed to be true, Rangers are eyeing a summer swoop for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The Crystal Palace winger spent the last season on loan at Sheffield United, but could ply his trade north of the border, with Russell Martin carrying out a squad rebuild since his appointment as the Ibrox boss.

The 22-year-old England youth international progressed through Chelsea’s esteemed academy ranks. However, he left the Blues to sign his first professional contract with the Eagles, and eventually made his senior debut in 2021. He was exquisite at Charlton Athletic in the 2022-23 League One campaign, and the Londoners decided to keep him at Selhurst Park as a first-team option upon returning from his season-long loan.

But he only featured 8 times across competitions, thus forcing the club to sanction another loan last summer to ensure gametime. Although the young attacking ace netted 7 goals and laid on 2 more in 35 league outings, the Blades suffered an injury-time heartbreak in the promotion playoff final against Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Isamaila Sarr has cemented a starting spot down the right-hand flank following Michael Olise’s high-profile move to Bayern Munich. Being an understudy to the Senegalese would prevent Rak-Sakyi’s career growth, and Palace, therefore, are willing to listen to offers in the region of £10m for their prized asset.

Why Rangers Are Chasing The Palace Prodigy

Rangers have already bolstered themselves in the centre of the pitch by roping in Lyall Cameron, Joe Rothwell, and Thelo Aasgaard. But a few key exits have decimated them on the flanks. Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence have been released following their contract expiry, and high-flying Vaclav Cerny has returned to Wolfsburg in the aftermath of a blistering loan stint.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi of Sheffield United FC celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United FC and Middlesbrough FC on February 12, 2025, in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

The Glasgow giants could not meet the German side’s £9m valuation for the Czech winger, and their financial limitations might prove to be a stumbling block in pursuing the Rak-Sakyi deal unless they generate enough funds from player sales. Hamza Igamane’s potential transfer to Lille is in jeopardy due to Rangers’ hefty asking fee, and they can’t wait indefinitely for the Palace wideman, who holds all the traits to succeed Cerny.

The Light Blues might push for a loan with an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met. But a similar deal has backfired when they landed Óscar Cortés in February 2024. The Colombian attacker has hardly featured due to persistent injury problems, yet the Gers were forced to trigger a clause worth £4.5m by the end of the 2024-25 season. It remains to be seen now how Kevin Thelwell negotiates with the Eagles for the emerging Englishman.