Football
Exclusive: Sunderland Set for Another Cash Windfall as Chris Rigg Attracts Top-Flight Interest
Sunderland's rising star Chris Rigg is in high demand, with Premier League clubs vying for his signature. The 18-year-old played a key role in their promotion to the top flight. Linked with Liverpool and Man United, now Everton, Tottenham, Burnley, and Leeds are also eyeing the talented England U-19 player. Sunderland looks to cash in on their academy graduate despite having him under contract for two more years.
Sheffield United v Sunderland - Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final by Justin Setterfield | Getty Images
Sunderland young gun Chris Rigg is causing a real stir amongst a string of Premier League clubs, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The talented teenager was a revelation for the Black Cats last season as they claimed a memorable promotion back to the Premier League.
But the 18-year-old’s starting performances in the Championship has left for a clammer for his signature.
Rigg has previously been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United, but sources have learnt that Everton, Tottenham, Burnley and Leeds United are all interested in signing the England Under-19 international.
Rigg started his career at the Stadium of Light having spent seven years in the club’s thriving academy system. But last season he really game to the fore and playing a key role in manager Regis Le Bris’ promotion-winning team, that included Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson.
Bellingham, brother of Real Madrid and England ace Jude, and Watson, both left the Black Cats in big-money deals this summer.
Bellingham, 19, joined German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund in a £27.8million deal plus £4.2million add-ons, while winger Watson, also 19, joined Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion for a £10million transfer fee.
CHANCE TO CASH IN
And now Rigg, even though he is contracted to the club for another two years, is being chased as the club look to cash in on another one of their academy graduates.
Rigg played 47 times for Sunderland last season as they finished fourth in the second tier and won promotion via the Play-offs, first beating Coventry City in the semis and then upsetting Sheffield United in the final at Wembley.
Rigg scored four goals last season and showed maturity beyond his young years, one of the attributes which has alerted him to Premier League clubs.
French boss Le Bris is likely to give Rigg the chance to shine in the top-flight having earnt his stripes in the Championship last season.
But a big money offer from a rival Premier League could prove too tempting to turn down, especially as Sunderland look to maximise the financial cash cow which has so far been their academy programme.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.