BHOYS GO BOLT ACTION: Celtic Launch Audacious Move for ‘Scary’ Rak-Sakyi Amid Multi-Club Transfer Tussle
By 247sportcity | Thursday, January 22, 2026
GLASGOW – As the February 2nd transfer deadline looms like a Highland mist over Parkhead, Celtic have shifted their recruitment drive into overdrive. Having already secured defensive reinforcements, the Scottish champions are now aggressively targeting a “scary” attacking talent they narrowly missed out on just six months ago.
According to reports from Sky Sports, Celtic have officially submitted an offer for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.1 The 23-year-old, who has become one of the most talked-about names in the winter window, is currently the subject of an intense tug-of-war between the Glasgow giants and several high-profile English clubs. For Martin O’Neill’s side, this isn’t just a pursuit of a player; it’s the completion of “unfinished business” from last summer.
The Rak-Sakyi Chase: A Deadline Day Redemption
The history between Celtic and Rak-Sakyi is a classic tale of “what if.” During the final hours of the Summer 2025 window, the winger was reportedly inside the building at Parkhead, with a move nearly finalized before a last-minute breakdown in negotiations forced the deal to collapse.
Now, after Palace recalled the winger from a loan spell at Turkish side Caykur Rizespor, Celtic have returned to the table. However, they are not alone. Palace are currently weighing up two concrete proposals:
- Celtic: An offer that looks to bring the Londoner to the Scottish Premiership.
- Stoke City: A rival bid from the Championship outfit.
Crystal Palace’s stance in this window is far more rigid than in previous years. The Eagles are no longer interested in “developmental” loans. They have signaled a preference for a permanent sale or a loan deal that includes achievable performance triggers that would lead to a mandatory obligation to buy in the summer.
[Table: The Rak-Sakyi Market — Who is Chasing the Winger?]
| Club | Status | League |
| Celtic | Formal Offer Submitted | Scottish Premiership |
| Stoke City | Formal Offer Submitted | Championship |
| Swansea City | Inquiry Made / Close earlier this month | Championship |
| Coventry City | Monitoring | Championship |
| Ipswich Town | Monitoring | Championship |
The Cvancara Arrival: A £34k-a-Week Statement
While the Rak-Sakyi deal remains in the balance, Celtic are on the cusp of finalizing a massive deal for Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tomas Cvancara. The 6ft 2in Czech Republic international is set to arrive on a high-stakes loan deal that underlines Celtic’s financial ambition.
The club is reportedly prepared to pay Cvancara a staggering £34,000-a-week for the remainder of the season. The deal also includes a £7 million buy option, giving Celtic total control over the player’s long-term future.
However, Martin O’Neill provided an interesting tactical insight into Cvancara during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. Despite his towering frame, O’Neill insisted that Cvancara is “quick and agile” rather than a traditional “target man.” This revelation has fueled speculation that Celtic are still in the market for a more physical presence to complement the Czech striker.
The Hunt for a Target Man: Lauritsen and Fofana
The “agile” profile of Cvancara has opened the door for a potential secondary striker signing. Celtic are reportedly eyeing Sparta Rotterdam’s Tobias Lauritsen.2 At 6ft 5in, the Norwegian is a genuine aerial threat and a prototypical target man.
Lauritsen’s stats this season are impossible to ignore: 11 goals in 22 appearances in the Eredivisie. If Celtic can secure both Rak-Sakyi’s pace on the wing and Lauritsen’s power in the box, their attack would become the most multifaceted in Scottish football. Furthermore, links persist with Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana, though the Lauritsen deal appears to be the more practical priority given his current form.
Midfield Chess: Xaver Schlager and the Arne Engels Twist
The recruitment drive isn’t stopping at the front line. Celtic are reportedly looking to bolster their engine room with the experience of RB Leipzig’s Xaver Schlager. The 28-year-old Austria international is in high demand, with several Serie A clubs also vying for his signature as his contract in Germany nears its end.
However, the Schlager pursuit comes with a fascinating “domino effect.” RB Leipzig are known admirers of Celtic’s breakout Belgian star Arne Engels.3 While Celtic would be loath to lose the £11 million midfielder so soon, a “player-plus-cash” or reciprocal arrangement involving Schlager could be discussed behind closed doors.
Why Rak-Sakyi is the “Scary” Final Piece
The term “scary” has been used by various analysts to describe Rak-Sakyi’s one-on-one ability. In a league like the Scottish Premiership, where Celtic often face deep-sitting defensive “low blocks,” a winger who can beat two or three players with a single burst of acceleration is priceless.
For Martin O’Neill, Rak-Sakyi represents the evolution of the Celtic attack. He offers the unpredictability and flair that can turn a frustrating 0-0 stalemate into a comfortable 3-0 victory.
The Deadline Countdown
With Julian Araujo already in the building and Cvancara’s medical imminent, Celtic have shown they aren’t afraid to spend big in January. But the Rak-Sakyi deal is the one the fans truly want. It would be a statement of intent—not just to their domestic rivals, but to the rest of Europe—that Parkhead is the destination for the continent’s most exciting young talents.
As Palace weigh up the offers from Glasgow and Stoke, the clock is ticking. Will Celtic finally get their man, or will history repeat itself in the final hours of the window?