"Mouthwatering" - Leeds United eyeing exciting Crystal Palace transfer with Summerville and Gnonto in mind | OneFootball

FLW writers have their say on Leeds United links to Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Crystal Palace's Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is a target for Leeds United this summer, with the Whites eyeing a move for the winger to replace either Crysencio Summerville or Willy Gnonto.

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have expressed an interest in the wide player, who could potentially leave Selhurst Park before the end of the summer transfer window. Any move for the Crystal Palace man may be contingent on Summerville or Gnonto departing for a new club first, but both are bound to have interest once again this summer.

After an excellent spell on loan in League One with Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, Rak-Sakyi spent last season back at Selhurst Park. However, he found his opportunities limited with the Eagles last season, something which was not helped by injury.

Even when not injured, the winger seldom featured, and was a largely peripheral figure from the bench, and one who is now in need of kick-starting his career in the second tier. He had perhaps expected to have more involvement last season, but the quality of his performances in League One is something not forgotten by plenty of second tier sides now tracking him.

The race to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Leeds may have interest of their own, but other reports note that other Championship clubs such as Blackburn, Luton, QPR, Sheffield United, and Watford among others, have all already expressed an interest in the winger this summer, so Leeds won't be short of competition for his signature.

According to Hull's Tan Keslier, per Hull Live, there are around 15 Championship clubs interested in the winger. However, he has plenty of the characteristics Leeds would be looking for in a winger, should there be key departures at Elland Road.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi an exciting option for Leeds United

Of course, with plenty of interest in Rak-Sakyi, there is no guarantee that Leeds will be the side to land him this summer, but it appears Palace are hoping to find him a temporary home, and his next career move will more than likely be to the Championship.

Here, we ask our FLW writers their verdict on whether the Rak-Sakyi and Leeds would be a good fit for both the club and the player, and if he is capable of filling the boots of Summerville and/or Gnonto.

Adam Elliott

It is likely that it wouldn't be a deal that would cost a lot to complete, and there is plenty of logic to it on loan, and it may rely on a few factors, but Rak-Sakyi is undoubtedly an intriguing prospect.

The tricky forward would be the right sort of replacement for the likes of Summerville and Gnonto, who are almost certain to leave the club without Premier League football next season. Losing in the play-off final has already seen several exits, and they are inevitable at some stage.

Ideally, it would be a permanent switch, but that is not likely after Southampton's failed attempts; but his age and potential would make him an obvious addition with the funds they would raise for that aforementioned pair, as it appears he is more than ready to make the step-up to Championship football next season.

He could form part of Leeds' new-look attacking unit, as they look to rebuild this season, especially with the question marks hanging over their young stars. Like Rak-Sakyi, they have bags of potential and extremely high ceilings, should they continue on the current trajectory they are on in terms of their development, meaning the Whites may wish to put whatever cash raised from their sales into other young winger replacements.

A retooling of a forward line which has plenty of dribblers with a profile such as Rak-Sakyi could make Leeds a stronger side overall in balance-terms. That's because he shares their directness and can leave the opposition behind with his speed, but he is far more two-footed and has excellent decision-making already.

Leeds need a player with the pace on the counter, but the ability to unlock doors when teams sit deep against them, and Rak-Sakyi could provide that. The only concern is that he spent most of the year on the treatment table with a hamstring issue. However, he would benefit hugely from a Championship move to a top-end club like Leeds.

A restructuring of Leeds' forward line could see him have huge upside at Elland Road. Leeds haven't got a left-footed winger, where he could thrive down the right-hand side. The fact he is different in that sense could add an extra dynamic should they look to add to their attacking line.

He may be a step-down in quality terms from a player of Summerville's talents, but he could make Leeds' attack more balanced next season, especially if Jayden Bogle is searing past him on the overlap down the right flank.

Alfie Burns

This is an exciting prospect for Leeds and would cushion any blow of losing Summerville or Gnonto at this stage of the window.

Whilst Leeds' wide options currently in the squad are exciting, they are all the same profile of player. Summerville, Gnonto and Daniel James are all right-footed wingers who would prefer to play on the left and cut onto their favoured foot. Rak-Sakyi is the opposite and would add a lot more balance to Daniel Farke's attacking unit.

Rak-Sakyi's injuries over the last 12 months are a slight concern, as is the fact you are potentially asking him to replace the Championship's Player of the Year or an Italy international at Leeds, despite never playing in the Championship. However, the 21-year-old has shown in League One and the Premier League 2 what a talent he is, with his direct running and productivity. That should transfer nicely into the Championship and you can't get over the mouthwatering prospect of the Palace ace linking up with Jayden Bogle of Leeds' right.

The obvious hurdles are the sheer number of interested clubs and the fact that Leeds would, probably, prefer to do a permanent deal for the winger if they are selling Summerville or Gnonto for decent cash. The two do go hand-in-hand as well, with Leeds very much on a one in, one out basis in the final third - if cash doesn't land for their star men soon, someone else will swoop for Rak-Sakyi.

To get to the point, though, you can't help but feel this would be an outstanding deal for Leeds to conclude before 2024/25 kicks off and the perfect reaction to losing any of Farke's current stars.