Sunderland may have been handed a timely boost in pursuit of a long-term transfer target.
Sunderland have made a fairly subdued start to proceedings in this summer’s transfer window.
The club’s prolonged managerial search appeared to delay transfer business, though sporting director Kristjaan Speakman brought in Alan Browne on a free transfer earlier this month.
It’s a positive signing for Sunderland who desperately needed someone with Browne’s Championship expertise; he joins Simon Moore as the Black Cats’ two summer signings so far.
But many more are expected before Sunderland kick-start their 2024/25 Championship season with a trip to Cardiff City on August 10th.
Speakman is keen to add strikers to the Sunderland ranks and give Regis Le Bris the tools he needs to get Sunderland back on an upwards trajectory.
Other attacking names have been linked too, with Crystal Palace gem Jesurun Rak-Sakyi one.
Sunderland wanted Rak-Sakyi last summer and have again been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, who has plenty of interest.
Crystal Palace stance on Sunderland target Jesurun Rak-Sakyi revealed
Rak-Sakyi is linked with a number of Championship teams this summer, including Sunderland, Hull City, QPR, Stoke City, and Sheffield United.
But Alan Nixon has now revealed on Patreon that Southampton are plotting a ‘shock’ bid to sign Rak-Sakyi on a permanent deal this summer.
Despite that, Nixon further commented on the matter, saying that Crystal Palace ‘want to loan’ Rak-Sakyi to a Championship club during this summer’s transfer window.
Nixon adds that Palace may be inclined to sell Rak-Sakyi ‘if a legend offer came along’.
Why Kristjaan Speakman may have an in at Crystal Palace
Sunderland remains an attractive place for players to either join on permanent deals or on loan, with the Black Cats having had successes with the likes of Amad Diallo in the Championship.
But Crystal Palace are currently linked with a couple of Sunderland players in Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham, and that could give the Black Cats an edge in the race to sign Rak-Sakyi.
It wouldn’t be beyond reasoning that Sunderland ask for Rak-Sakyi on loan as part of a deal to sell one or Clarke or Bellingham to Palace this summer.
The deal would still need to match Sunderland’s value of the player, whilst Palace sending Rak-Sakyi on loan to Sunderland is of no harm to them, unless they view other teams as better destinations.
Sunderland can make an impression on Crystal Palace and Rak-Sakyi by adding a few more players to their ranks in the coming weeks.