Southampton are in the market for a new winger and they should turn to one of their ‘unplayable’ targets after an update emerged on Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Russell Martin has poured most of his focus into improving his Southampton defence and midfield during this summer’s transfer window.
The Saints boss turned loan spells for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes into permanent deals while adding the likes of Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood, Charlie Taylor and Adam Lallana to his squad.
Building from the back is an effective strategy, although to remain in the Premier League, Southampton will need extra firepower in the final third.
With the prospect of losing Che Adams on the horizon, Martin has made it his mission to strengthen his forward line, resulting in links to a talented Premier League winger.
Southampton dealt blow in race to sign Crystal Palace gem Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
On Thursday, Sky Sports reported that Southampton had a loan bid with an option to buy inserted knocked back for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
The report, however, detailed that Palace didn’t want to send him to a fellow top flight club and instead plan on loaning him to the Championship, where he can continue his development.
It’s a shame that Southampton have been ruled out of a move for the 21-year-old – who scored eight and assisted 15 for Charlton in the 2022/23 League One campaign – but it could be a blessing in disguise.
Rak-Sakyi, although an extremely talented player, hasn’t played regular football higher than the third tier, featuring five times from the bench in the Premier League last term.
It would have therefore been a risk to sign the fleet-footed winger, while losing out on him should open the door for the Saints to sign a player who is ready to perform at England’s top table.
Southampton should now push to sign Jack Clarke
Southampton have been tracking Sunderland winger Jack Clarke for a while and for good reason.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a remarkable season in the Championship, plundering 15 goals and supplying four assists in 40 appearances.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Saints had shown a ‘strong interest’ in the jet-heeled winger, while reports elsewhere suggested that the South Coast were unwilling to cough up the £18 million Sunderland wanted for him.
On the evidence of previous transfers, including Jaden Philogene’s recent £13 million move back to Aston Villa, Southampton should use that as a benchmark to pay the asking price for Clarke, who could be a revelation for Martin.
With only Kamaldeen Sulemana and Samuel Edozie to choose from as first-team wingers after David Brooks and Ryan Fraser’s loans expired, the club seriously need to add depth in wide areas.
As highlighted by FBref, where the ‘unplayable’ Clarke ranked in the top 1% of Championship wingers for progressive carries, successful take-ons and touches (att pen.), the former Leeds United man is ready to step back into the top flight, just three years after leaving Tottenham.