West Ham are in the hunt to poach a rising starlet from a London rival.
According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace talent Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is wanted by Celtic and Everton as well as West Ham United themselves.
The report claims several suitors both domestically and abroad are lining up with interest in the 18-year-old, who is said to have rejected professional terms with the club in favour of moving in search of a clearer chance of first-team football.
Rak-Sakyi seems to favour a move to Germany in the Bundesliga ahead of Scottish and English alternatives however, with ‘positive talks’ held over a move to a yet-unknown Bundesliga club.
Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach are named as the main suitors for the home-grown midfielder, who can also play on the wing.
One report describes him as a ‘pacey and technically gifted midfielder with an eye for goal and impressive tactical awareness for his age’.
Opinion
It seems to be an uphill battle if West Ham are truly serious about recruiting the 18-year-old wantaway talent.
The interest across the continent, let alone the country, is a testament to his talent.
The Palace academy has produced Premier League regulars Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tyrick Mitchell in recent years and secured Category 1 status – the highest tier in English football – last year.
Following major youth investment, the south London catchment area is clearly a fortuitous string to Palace’s bow.
West Ham taking advantage of that makes total sense, but whether they would offer the same opportunities as Bundesliga sides is another matter entirely.
