It is no secret that Chris Rigg is a wanted man, but Sunderland’s asking price for the teenage star has now been revealed, and it looks like they’re preparing to let him go this summer.
Of all the Sunderland talent being eyed by other clubs, the departure of Chris Rigg would be one of the more painful ones for Black Cats’ fans to take.
A Sunderland academy graduate who has made a huge impact in the two years since his debut, Rigg is one of the brightest stars in Regis Le Bris’ side, and a perfect example of the impressive production line of talent on Wearside.
However, with multiple clubs scouting Rigg recently, it will take a huge fight for Sunderland to keep the teenager, and it seems they do have a price in mind if they were to let him go.
Chris Rigg can leave for £25m this summer
Fans have long debated the true value of Rigg in the current market, but according to a report from Caught Offside, the answer is now clear.
The report names three of England’s top clubs — Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United — as the key interested parties when it comes to securing Rigg’s signature.
And, with suitors closing in on Rigg, it is now thought Sunderland would accept offers of £25m at the end of the season and let the youngster move on.
The club has fought to stave off interest in the past, but are now ready to admit defeat and succumb to a big offer if it comes their way in the summer.
Meanwhile, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Brighton, Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Madrid have also been named as potential candidates in the race to sign Rigg.
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A bittersweet deal for Sunderland
Losing Rigg would be heartbreaking for Sunderland fans, and a real blow to the club’s ambitions moving forward.
The idea of selling Rigg in January was never an option for Sunderland, but this summer could potentially be a real fork in the road for the Black Cats in many ways, largely depending on where they finish at the end of the season.
| Statistics | Chris Rigg 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 29 |
| Minutes | 2,211 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass success | 75.7% |
| Shot-creating actions/90 | 2.81 |
But, just like with Tommy Watson’s proposed move to Brighton in January, Sunderland have to consider the bigger picture and what that kind of money can mean for the club.
If Sunderland do fail to earn promotion this season, an investment of £25m would go a long way to strengthening the squad for next season’s attempts. With or without Rigg, the squad would be in a great place and would surely be right up there again in 2025/26.
However, of course, there is still hope that, if Sunderland can get promoted this season, the promise of Premier League football will be enough to persuade the likes of Rigg, Jobe Bellingham, and Watson to stick around for at least another year.