Chris Rigg is linked with a move from Sunderland to Real Madrid, and he could become just the second player to play for both clubs.
Real Madrid are being linked with Chris Rigg at Sunderland following his impressive start to the 2024/25 season.
New boss Regis Le Bris has clearly taken a shine to Rigg who’s started the last three games in midfield, impressing in all of them as he asserts his starting spot at the club.
Over the summer, the 17-year-old had reported interest from the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and many more top European sides.
Right now though, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are being linked with the England U18s man, with BBC pundit Simon Pryde saying Sunderland need promotion to keep Rigg.
Rigg is one of a handful of Sunderland players set for bright futures in the game, and likely set to bag the Sunderland owners a hefty transfer fee one day down the line.
Ipswich Town signed Jack Clarke for an initial £15million this summer, potentially kick-starting a string of expensive player sales on Wearside.
Chris Rigg could follow in Marcos Alonso’s footsteps as Real Madrid eye Sunderland swoop
Sunderland to Real Madrid is a career path never taken by any player before.
Rigg would be the first to make that move, but he wouldn’t be the first to have played for both clubs.
Former Spanish international Marcos Alonso began his career at Real Madrid, albeit playing just one La Liga game for the Galacticos, before spells with Bolton Wanderers and Fiorentina landed him on loan at Sunderland in 2014.
The 33-year-old played 16 times in the Premier League during the 2013/14 season, and currently plays for Celta Vigo following a two-year spell with Barcelona.
- READ MORE: The Plymouth Argyle player that Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland may watch closely next weekend
Chris Rigg set to make Sunderland history
If Rigg leaves Sunderland for Madrid, he’ll make club history, being the first player to leave Sunderland for the Spanish and European giants.
And Rigg could also, one day, become the club’s most expensive player sale, knocking Jordan Pickford off the top spot at £28million.
But Marco Gabbiadini has suggested that Sunderland may have to sell Rigg for cheap if they can’t reach the Premier League soon.
Being a Championship player, Rigg wouldn’t command perhaps half as much as he would if he was a Premier League player.
For that reason, and many others, Sunderland are in a race to reach the Premier League.