A new update on Stoke City’s ongoing pursuit of Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has emerged, with Scottish heavyweights Celtic reportedly vying for his signature.

The Englishman spent the first part of the season on loan with Rizespor in Turkey’s top flight, but was returned by the Eagles earlier this month, with the idea that he will be loaned out again.

Formerly of Charlton Athletic and last season’s play-off finalists Sheffield United, the gifted wide-man appears to be on his way back to the Championship, and Stoke have been linked with him on numerous occasions.

Swansea City had emerged as a contender for his signature, but the Welsh club was unable to reach an agreement with Rak-Sakyi and dropped out of any potential transfer.

A new twist in the narrative has surfaced.

Stoke City are leading Celtic in the hunt to recruit Jesurun Rak-Sakyi this month.

Stoke City are apparently leading the fight to recruit Rak-Sakyi, with the Potters presently ahead of Celtic.

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Stoke are the club leading the charge to recruit Crystal Palace’s out-of-favour winger this month.

Indeed, it appears that Mark Robins’ Stoke are leading the battle for the Palace man.

Rak-Sakyi, 23, is no stranger to the Championship, having spent last season on loan at Bramall Lane with Sheffield United, where he scored seven goals and assisted twice in 35 league appearances as the Blades barely missed out on promotion in the playoff final.

Prior to that, the former England youth international spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Charlton Athletic, where he scored 15 goals and assisted eight, establishing himself as one of the country’s most promising young players.

Despite this, Rak-Sakyi has never been able to establish himself in the Palace squad, and he appears to be heading out on loan again this winter, with the Premier League club willing to include an £8 million obligation-to-buy clause in any deal for the winger.

An £8 million sum would make Rak-Sakyi Stoke’s most expensive transfer since their first season back in the Championship, following the signings of Benik Afobe and Tom Ince for fees above that.

Whether Stoke will accept such an offer remains to be seen, but Celtic are not interested in those terms as things stand, giving the Potters a little advantage in the race.

Mark Robins is eager for more signings before the transfer deadline at Stoke City.

Stoke have already signed two players this month: Gavin Bazunu on loan from Southampton and Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit, who is under contract until the summer.

The Potters’ squad has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks, forcing winger Lamine Cisse to fill in up top, Tommy Simkin to return to goal, and both Bosun Lawal and Maksym Talovierov, who are both natural centre-backs, to cover at full-back.

It has not been ideal for Stoke, who appear to be in a good position to challenge for the play-offs this season, despite falling to 10th in the league table, their lowest position following a gameweek this season.

With Smit’s arrival, Cisse is anticipated to return to the wing, while interest in Rak-Sakyi signals that his position in the team is far from certain.

Sorba Thomas has dominated the left wing, while Million Manhoef has provided competition on the right, albeit the Dutchman has been frustrated throughout the season.

If the Palace winger does arrive, it might mark the end of Manhoef’s Stoke career, as Rak-Sakyi is most effective when cutting in from the left off the right.

As things stand, Robins’ side remains in lead in the pursuit of the 23-year-old, though whether they are willing to agree to the £8 million purchase price for the Palace player remains to be seen.