Spurs Eye Sunderland's Chris Rigg as Summer Transfer Battle Heats Up

Sunderland’s Chris Rigg will be the source of a summer bidding war, according to SportsBoom sources.

The talented teenager has impressed during Regis Le Bris’s side’s promotion push this season. 

Rigg is the heartbeat of the Black Cats and even outshines super talented Jobe Bellingham, who could also leave the Stadium of Light this summer.

The North East club are resigned to losing the academy product if they fail to get promoted this season, but it would land them a hefty fee towards their Championship challenge next term. 

Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Everton are all eager to lure one of the brightest prospects in English football away from Sunderland.

It is believed the highly-rated young gun, who scored for England U19s during the recent international break, would cost at least £40million, with Sunderland hoping the plethora of interest shown in him will drive the price up. 

Rigg has already proven he can handle the media pressure at a big club and has starred during the current campaign. And he would be a shrewd buy for any club looking to revamp their midfield with an eye on the future.

SPURS BOUND?

It is understood that Spurs have already made a bid for the midfield maestro and they have a track record of acquiring young talent in recent windows.

Archie Gray, 19, swapped Leeds for White Hart Lane last summer, whilst they also beat Barcelona to the signature of Lucas Bergvall, 18, who has become a first-team regular in North London. 

But they could be out-gunned by neighbours Arsenal or Manchester United, who want to change their philosophy of signing established stars on big wages under the new regime.

A boyhood Newcastle United fan, Rigg is a firm favourite at the Black Cats — where he made his debut as a 15-year-old schoolboy.

And whoever secures Rigg’s signature will have a future leadership candidate on their hands after he captained the national side U17s.