Regis Le Bris will be looking to make an impact on the Sunderland team this transfer window, as other Championship teams are currently ramping up their efforts to bolster their rosters in anticipation of the upcoming campaign.
As the Frenchman currently occupying the dugout puts together what he hopes is a promotion worthy group, the Black Cats have added just one new player thus far: former Coventry City goalkeeper Simon Moore. However, Moore’s arrival is unlikely to be the only one.
He may even add a player or two who will likely upset the status quo at the Stadium of Light; the Championship team is rumored to be interested in signing an entertaining attacker.
Sunderland interested in loan deal for dazzling youngster
According to sports journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Sunderland has joined a plethora of other lower league teams in their bid to capture Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan this summer.
According to Nixon, the Black Cats have inquired about the possibility of a move of this kind. Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers have also expressed interest in the 21-year-old, as have Luton Town, Blackburn Rovers, and numerous other EFL teams.
Why Rak-Sakyi could take Roberts’ spot
This could be a loan switch that’s attractive for the Eagles reserve player, who was only afforded six Premier League games last season, with Rak-Sakyi still fondly remembered by those with Charlton Athletic connections, for a blistering season-long loan stint during the 22/23 campaign.
Patrick Roberts might sense that his assured starting position in the Sunderland first-team could be under threat by Rak-Sakyi’s arrival to Wearside, however, as Les Bris starts to reshape the XI to his liking.
Despite never tasting Championship football across his short career to date, Rak-Sakyi should be able to take the second tier by storm, if his spell at the Valley is anything to go by.
In the division below, the explosive 21-year-old would amass a mightily impressive 15 goals and nine assists from 49 total appearances operating down the right wing, despite predominantly being played down the left flank when rising through the youth ranks back at Palace.
| Roberts’ numbers last season in the Championship | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Roberts |
| Games played | 32 |
| Goals scored | 0 |
| Shots per game | 1.3 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 4.85 |
| Big chances missed | 6 |
| Stats by Sofascore | |
Given that the former Celtic forward failed to score at all the previous season—as evidenced by his figures above—and only managed two meager assists, the Eagles forward might easily unseat Roberts if he were to move to Wearside on loan.
After scoring an incredible 24 goals from just 40 games for the U21s, Rak-Sakyi has also started to make some waves at Selhurst Park in the senior mix. Former Eagles manager Roy Hodgson even described the Palace number 49 as possessing a “remarkable maturity” while he was still in charge. This has led to more first-team opportunities for the 49-year-old.
Le Bris will also be worried about how Roberts’ sporadic presence in the Stadium of Light treatment room may affect the team the following season, particularly if they are short-handed and in the running for a promotion. In this case, Rak-Sakyi’s versatility to play down either flank could be useful.
Knowing that the loan gem could fill in for the former Tottenham Hotspur attacker in the worst case scenario may also be a huge benefit if Jack Clarke were to depart this summer.
It’s possible that many of the players at Sunderland have grown too accustomed to their surroundings and require a fresh start. Rak-Sakyi’s arrival may have even encouraged Roberts to return to his best form as the Black Cats aim for a far better league finish in the upcoming campaign.
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