Sunderland have a number of players in demand right now. But ahead of January, it seems like one name is doing the rounds more than most.
During the summer, Sunderland sold Jack Clarke for a reported fee of up to £20million, potentially marking the start of regular, big money player sales at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman are making a very nice habit of buying young players for very little and turning them into valuable assets.
Right now, there’s a handful of players in the Sunderland first-team squad who were signed for very little, or have come through the academy, and are now reportedly worth £20million or more.
So far this season though, Chris Rigg has been much of the talk of Sunderland, with links to clubs around Europe.
Real Madrid have been linked with Rigg already this season, but Manchester United are the favourites for his signature right now.
Former scout makes Chris Rigg claim amid Manchester United interest
Speaking to Football Insider, Manchester United’s former chief scout Mick Brown, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson and also worked under Roy Keane at Sunderland for a brief period, has shared some insight on Rigg.
He claims that the Red Devils have watched the 17-year-old Sunderland star ‘nearly every week’ this season.
Brown said of Rigg: “He’s definitely one they’re interested in. He fits the profile of a young player who they can help develop.
“They’ve had scouts watching him closely at Sunderland nearly every week this season.
“They will know how good he is and how far they think he can go in the game, and from what I’ve heard they’ve been very impressed.
“Man United have a very good relationship with Sunderland behind the scenes, too.
“There are a number of young players up and down the country that they’ve sent scouts to watch, but Rigg’s performances have been very, very impressive.
“I think they’ll keep an eye on his progress and then determine whether they think he’s ready for the step up, but all signs suggest he will be capable.”
Chris Rigg’s stance on leaving Sunderland
At the end of October, Sunderland AFC News revealed that sources have suggested Manchester United are the current favourites to sign Rigg.
It was also suggested to us that Rigg will almost certainly leave Sunderland in 2025, but that the young midfielder wants to ensure that the Black Cats get a good transfer fee for him, and so he’s in no rush to move on.
Rigg, who shone for Sunderland against Preston on Wednesday night, will also be given the choice of where he goes next.
Now with Ruben Amorim taking charge of Manchester United, he may have the rest of the season to show to players like Rigg that United are still a competitive team, and also a good place for younger players to learn their trade.
For now, it looks like a January move might be unlikely, at least to United. But Brown’s comments only further solidify the Red Devils’ interest in Rigg.