Recent transfer updates coming out of Manchester United could spell bad news for Sunderland where Chris Rigg is concerned.
Sunderland star Chris Rigg has been turning heads this season, following his impressive breakthrough in the XI under Regis Le Bris.
Rigg, 17, has featured in all nine of Sunderland’s Championship games this season, having started the last eight now.
He’s also netted two goals, scoring an impressive back-heel goal against Middlesbrough and then scoring in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United last time out.
This season, Real Madrid have been linked with Rigg. And since Madrid’s interest was reported, it’s been claimed that Manchester United want to sign Rigg and could even move for the Sunderland academy man in January.
Now, certain transfer reports coming out of Old Trafford may precede a January move for Rigg.
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Manchester United primed for midfield reshuffle
This week, it’s been revealed that United may look to offload Brazilian Casemiro in January, following his lacklustre start to the season.
He’s a huge drain on the wage bill too and United are keen to move him on, per reports, whilst Christian Eriksen has confirmed that he plans to leave United at the end of this season.
That’ll leave a further hole in the midfield for United. And with Rigg still impressing and well on United’s radar, it may point towards United putting a lot of their January focus on a move for Rigg.
It’s previously been suggested that Sunderland should command £25million for Rigg, at the very least, with the teenager having signed a pro contract with Sunderland in the summer, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until 2027.
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Can Sunderland keep Chris Rigg beyond January
The Sunderland owners have showed in the past that they don’t budge easily when it comes to selling players.
They’re valuation of Rigg remains a mystery. But it should be safe to assume that they’ll want a huge fee for Rigg, who looks like a star in the making.
If he keeps on playing well and scoring then it’ll only increase his transfer value ahead of the January transfer window.
And if United come in, Sunderland could up the price, knowing that United have money and that they’re somewhat desperate to start signing top young players again.
But Rigg knows that he’s really developing at Sunderland. He’s playing regular football and improving every game, and so he might not even push for a move in January.
What happens though remains to be seen.