Crystal Palace forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is close to completing a permanent transfer to Championship side Charlton Athletic. The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the deal for the 23-year-old is expected to be worth in excess of £4 million.
Rak-Sakyi spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Charlton, who were then in League One. He excelled, scoring 15 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions and winning the club's player of the year award. That successful spell has now paved the way for a permanent return to The Valley.
Why is Crystal Palace selling Rak-Sakyi?
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has not been able to secure a regular place at Selhurst Park. After his loan at Charlton, he was kept with the Palace squad for the following season but made only eight appearances and was denied a temporary move away. Subsequent loans to Sheffield United, where he scored seven goals in 36 Championship games in 2024-25, and spells at Caykur Rizespor in Turkey and Stoke City last season did not elevate his standing. With one year left on the five-year contract he signed in 2022, Rak-Sakyi was not in the plans for this campaign.
The club is actively looking to move on younger players who have limited prospects of first-team action. This strategy helps Crystal Palace manage its squad size and is also a factor in complying with UEFA's Squad Cost Ratio as the team prepares for a Europa League campaign this season.
What does this mean for Palace's summer business?
Rak-Sakyi's potential sale is part of a broader trend of player departures from the academy ranks. Earlier this summer, right wing-back Danny Imray was sold to Wrexham for a fee that could rise above £5 million. Nineteen-year-old centre-back Mofe Jemide has joined Portuguese side Alverca. There is also reported interest in a permanent move for 21-year-old midfielder David Ozoh, the club's second-youngest Premier League player. Forward Romain Esse had been nearing a move to Club Brugge, though that deal remains incomplete, while midfielder Justin Devenny could also leave if sufficient interest materializes.
This activity comes as Crystal Palace look to refine their squad after a mixed start to the Premier League season. They currently sit 17th with zero points from one game, having lost their opener and conceded two goals without scoring. They are already three points behind early leaders Brighton ahead of a daunting fixtures test against Manchester City at home on 28 August.
How did Rak-Sakyi's valuation change?
Palace's asking price for the England Under-21 international has shifted significantly. Last summer, the club rejected an offer from Rangers that proposed a loan with a potential obligation to buy worth up to £10 million. At that time, Palace were seeking a fee closer to £20 million, a figure influenced by the transfer of Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea to Ipswich Town. The expected fee of over £4 million represents a major reduction, reflecting the player's need for a fresh start and the club's desire to finalize a sale.
What is next for Crystal Palace?
The immediate focus returns to the pitch. Oliver Glasner's side must regroup quickly for the visit of Manchester City, who are 7th in the table. Improving a goal difference of -2 will be a priority. The Rak-Sakyi deal, once finalized, will provide funds and squad space as the club balances domestic and European commitments. Fans can track the team's progress and league position on our standings page throughout the season.
