Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has made the surprising decision to sign with Sheffield United, opting for the Blades over Leeds United despite a lucrative £15m offer from the Whites. Reports have shed light on his reasoning behind this choice.
The talented 21-year-old had attracted interest from numerous Championship clubs, as well as Premier League side Southampton who submitted bids of £7m and £12m for the Crystal Palace academy graduate.
Leeds, who were in need of reinforcements after selling Crysencio Summerville to West Ham, made a substantial offer of £15m for Rak-Sakyi. However, Palace preferred to send him out on loan rather than part ways permanently.
According to The Star, Leeds engaged in talks to secure Rak-Sakyi’s signature but were ultimately turned down by Palace. The report delves into the reasons why he ultimately decided to join Sheffield United instead.
One key factor was Sheffield United’s promise of regular playing time, something that may have been less certain at Leeds with the presence of Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto. Additionally, Rak-Sakyi was reportedly drawn to the opportunity to work under Chris Wilder.
Leeds’ struggles in convincing Premier League clubs to send players on loan due to uncertainties surrounding game time were also highlighted. This issue has previously impacted their pursuit of players like Hugo Bueno from Wolves, as Farke is unwilling to guarantee playing time.
Overall, Rak-Sakyi’s decision to choose Sheffield United over Leeds can be attributed to the promise of regular opportunities on the pitch and the chance to work with a manager like Wilder, highlighting the challenges that Leeds face in attracting top talent on loan.
