Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are a few of the teams keeping close tabs on Chris Rigg and his Sunderland contract.
According to the Sunderland Echo, Chris Rigg is in danger of departing Sunderland in the summer as a host of top clubs queue up for his signature. The Championship prodigy is still not eligible for a professional contract, and his scholarship deal ends next summer, meaning there’s a chance he could leave.
Chris Rigg is in high demand.
Sunderland have produced some top-notch players through their Academy of Light in recent years, and Chris Rigg appears like their next big star to join the party. For instance, Dan Neil and Arsenal-linked Anthony Patterson have each accumulated over 120 appearances for the club, and Rigg finds himself in the same category.
Similarly, summer arrival and the brother of Jude Bellingham, Jobe Bellingham, also provides hope for players like Rigg. The younger Bellingham brother has played 31 times for Sunderland this season, as the club are keen on providing Rigg with a similar pathway.
Debuting at the age of 15, Rigg is not a sure starter or even a regular for Sunderland this season. He has made several substitute appearances, with nine games to his name in all competitions. The Black Cats will hope to show him a plan for the future where he plays with more regularity, as they will want to offer a good enough professional contract to keep hold of the Championship prodigy.
However, there’s massive interest brewing in the background, not only from Premier League sides but Euro giants like Bayern Munich as well.
Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool are keen on Rigg.
The Premier League trio could pose the biggest threat to Sunderland’s chances of keeping RIgg. The Red Devils have expressed their interest earlier, while the Blues and Merseysiders are also in for the Championship prodigy owing to his massive rise with Sunderland.
Sunderland are in a real danger of losing Rigg to one of those gigantic clubs, considering how delicate the player’s contractual situation currently stands.
The Premier League trio may end up having a battle in the market to convince Rigg, although much will depend on the guarantees each side provides to the player about his game time. Sunderland could have a trump card up their sleeves in that regard, as they indeed have a plan in place to convince the midfielder to stay at least for a few years.
