"Such a mess" - Southampton concern issued over transfer interest in Crystal Palace forward | OneFootball

Southampton are once again being linked with a move for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Southampton are once again being linked with a move for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, nearly a year after their failed £5 million bid for the 22-year-old.

The Saints’ interest comes after Rak-Sakyi’s productive loan spell at Sheffield United, where he has notched seven goals in 22 Championship starts, and he could still have a part to play in the Championship play-offs.

Despite last summer’s rejection, Palace may now be more open to a sale, especially as Rak-Sakyi’s pathway to their first team remains unclear. With Southampton desperate to inject fresh attacking talent following a dismal Premier League campaign, the links have resurfaced at a critical juncture for the club.

Southampton FC concern issued over reported Jesurun Rak-Sakyi pursuit

As reported by journalist Alan Nixon over the weekend, Southampton are once again keen on Rak-Sakyi this summer as they prepare for life in the Championship once more.

Saints were keen last summer, with Nixon claiming that they offered £5 million plus add-ons for the left-footed attacker, but Crystal Palace were not up for selling, and despite reports of a massive £15 million move from Leeds, he ended up on loan at Sheffield United.

On paper, Rak-Sakyi’s profile is appealing. His dribbling stats (2.44 successful dribbles per 90 minutes) and history of goal contributions in League One and the Championship suggest he could offer the spark Southampton’s attack has sorely lacked.

However, doubts linger over whether Rak-Sakyi is the transformative signing Saints require.

While he has impressed at Sheffield United, injuries have hampered his consistency. At 22, he still has development ahead, and there’s no guarantee he would immediately elevate Southampton’s fortunes.

Football League World spoke to Southampton's fan pundit, Martin Sanders, who expressed concern with the Saints potentially going back on the Rak-Sakyi transfer trail, especially after letting teenage prodigy Samuel Amo-Ameyaw depart in January for Strasbourg.

"[It will] Be interesting to see if we go back in for him," Martin told FLW.

"We have a new sporting director now, so I wonder if he fits the profile of him - the hierarchy has changed in terms of who is doing the transfer business. I wonder if people are linking him because of before.

"We had the perfect winger in Sam [Amo]-Ameyaw and we’ve let him go on loan to Strasbourg but they have to purchase him. We had a brilliant young winger in him and we let him go, that was really really poor.

"We were talking about it last week as fans and thought he was the next winger to come through, but we’ll probably waste £5million on this guy (Rak-Sakyi) and he won’t be any good.

"I haven’t seen much of Rak-Sakyi to be honest, but our squad needs a massive rebuild, it’s just such a mess.

"But I’m not massively enamoured with this one to be honest, I just thought we had the academy product coming through."

Rak-Sakyi a risk for Southampton after a dismal Premier League campaign

Southampton’s renewed pursuit of Rak-Sakyi reflects both a recognition of their attacking shortcomings and a sense of desperation after a historically poor season.

While Rak-Sakyi’s numbers and potential make him an intriguing target, the frustration among supporters is understandable, especially given the club’s recent decision to loan out promising academy winger Sam Amo-Ameyaw with an obligation to buy.

Rak-Sakyi could add depth and dynamism, but the move is not without risk, especially if it comes at the expense of nurturing homegrown talent.

There is also the fact that Rak-Sakyi hasn't always been starting under Wilder in recent times - Saints loanee Ben Brereton Diaz has been in on the right flank ahead of him more regularly, and that could also be a concern, given the club were happy to loan the Chilean out.

Whilst there isn't a doubt that Rak-Sakyi has evident talent, perhaps Southampton could aim a little more ambitious this summer when it comes to attacking signings.

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