Middlesbrough consider late move for winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Middlesbrough's promotion-chasing ambitions could receive a significant boost if the club acts on mounting calls to enter the race for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, following the collapse of his proposed move to Swansea City.

The Teesside club, sitting second in the Championship, is actively seeking to bolster its squad ahead of the transfer deadline on Monday, February 2.

With the need for more dynamism in attack, the 23-year-old Rak-Sakyi has been identified by supporters and analysts as an ideal target given his proven pedigree in the second tier.

Rak-Sakyi's recent history makes him a prime candidate. Last season, he was a key figure for Sheffield United, contributing seven goals and two assists in 34 Championship games as the Blades reached the play-off final. After a short-term loan at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor, where he scored four goals, he has been recalled by Palace and is expected to seek another loan move.

However, Middlesbrough is not operating in a vacuum. The transfer landscape is competitive and fluid. Stoke City have reportedly made a concrete move to sign the winger, with sources indicating Rak-Sakyi would prefer a switch to the Bet365 Stadium. Celtic have also entered the fray with a reported £8 million bid for a loan-to-buy deal.

Furthermore, Middlesbrough's own transfer plans have encountered a setback. The club's pursuit of Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento, who is currently on loan at Serie A's Cremonese, has reportedly "hit an impasse". This development increases the urgency for Boro to secure alternative attacking options.

Speaking to a fan media outlet, Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day strongly endorsed a move for Rak-Sakyi. "He seems like a very decent player... I remember when Sheffield United came to the Riverside a couple of years ago; I was most impressed with him," Day said. "I think he’d be perfect... he would offer us something different, somebody quite unique, and give us the quality to add a few goals."

Analysts argue that a player of Rak-Sakyi's profile—a direct, pacy winger comfortable on either foot—could be the difference-maker for a team in the thick of an automatic promotion race. With the club's last promotion to the Premier League coming nine years ago, such a signing would be seen as a major statement of intent.

With the window set to close on February 2, Middlesbrough's hierarchy faces a critical decision: whether to enter a growing battle for a player who could sharpen their attack for the promotion run-in.

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