The 16-year-old’s future will not be easily secured for Sunderland. Chris Rigg
Premier League champions Man City, Man United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are among the top English football teams showing interest in Sunderland prodigy Chris Rigg.
German powerhouse Bayern Munich is reportedly keeping an eye on the 16-year-old as well, according to the Sunderland Echo.
At the tender age of fifteen, the teenager made his first appearance on the team, taking on his first senior role under Tony Mowbray.
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Mowbray is reportedly eager to bring the young player to St. Andrew’s as well since the American owners of Birmingham City may view him as a fit for their long-term goals for the team.
This season, Rigg has made seven appearances in the Championship; all of them have been as a substitute.
Last July, Rigg first committed to a two-year scholarship with the Black Cats.
This was in spite of Manchester United showing a strong interest in him; the squad interpreted this as a significant endorsement of their development pathway for young players to the first team.
Due to his age, Rigg is not yet able to sign a professional contract with a team, although he may potentially be traded to another squad.
✍🏻 𝗜𝗻-𝗱𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: Chris Rigg's transfer and contract status:
👀 PL interest
🤔 European interest
😒 Champ interest
⭐ Player/camp's stance
⚽ Sunderland's plan #SAFC https://t.co/72gOXcpdDwhttps://t.co/72gOXcpdDw— James Copley (@JamesCopley_) February 7, 2024
The Championship team will be entitled to a price decided by a tribunal if he leaves Sunderland before the conclusion of his scholarship agreement. The Wearside outfit will be cautious about losing him over the next year, given the level of demand in his talents.
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Rigg can sign a professional contract with any club he wants after turning 17 this summer, however Sunderland will get payment if that does happen. Though he has been unable to put pen to paper, the midfield player has verbally agreed to terms with Sunderland.
The second-tier team will also be concerned about the player’s future until he signs a contract.
Nothing is confirmed about Rigg’s future just yet, but it is thought that giving him more playing time could persuade him to commit to the team.
This year, Sunderland is aiming to advance to the Premier League in an attempt to surpass their disappointing play-off performance from the previous year.
Since Mowbray was fired in December, Michael Beale has been tasked with securing another top six finish.
Black Cats are eighth in the standings at the moment, one point outside of the play-off spots.
In addition, Sunderland has played one more game than their competitors in the top six, West Brom and Coventry City, who are both in the play-off spots. Beale’s team’s next matchup is at home against Plymouth Argyle.
Given that hardly many 16-year-olds get to make seven games at the Championship level, Rigg obviously has a lot of potential.
Before he reaches 17, he probably will make more appearances, which is a remarkable amount of experience to get at this age.
Encouraging Rigg to accept professional terms will come from regular senior playing experience; any of these major clubs will probably use him in their junior setup before bringing him up to the first team.