Premier League boss makes admission about reported Sunderland, Southampton and Ipswich transfer target

Sunderland were one of several Championship clubs linked with a loan move for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi last summer.

Oliver Glasner, the manager of Crystal Palace, acknowledges that winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would have a difficult time making the team this season despite his recovery from an injury setback.

The 21-year-old made an impression when on loan at Charlton in League One last season. Over the past year, he has been connected to a number of Championship teams, including Southampton, Sunderland, Ipswich, and Leicester. Despite Rak-Sakyi’s limited Premier League involvement this season and his February hamstring injury, Palace decided not to send the player out on loan for a second straight season.

Glasner praised Rak-Sakyi when he was questioned about his development and likelihood of playing before the season ended. However, the Palace manager acknowledged that Selhurst Park presents fierce competition due to the strong play of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise, and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

“He’s working hard and doing well in training,” said Glasner when asked about Rak-Sakyi. “The situation is that we all agree with Eze, Olise and Mateta, it’s three amazing players in really good shape. Ebs scores goals. JP scores goals. Michael scores

“We have three players—Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew, and Odsonne Edouard—who could start every game because of their potential and caliber. It could be a difficult time for Jes right now. With six guys back from injuries that have been out for two months, he is returning to full fitness. Each player must demonstrate that they are prepared. He works hard and gives it his all, but right now, when every player is healthy and in good shape, that’s the perfect scenario for any manager.

Rak-Sakyi signed a five-year contract with Palace in 2022; he is currently three years into that agreement. The 21-year-old scored 15 goals in 43 games while on loan at Charlton, and he has made 10 senior appearances for the Eagles.