Manchester United are preparing a summer bid for a ‘sensational’ Sunderland star.
Sunderland could face stiff competition to keep hold of their prized assets this summer.
Despite a disastrous second campaign back in the Championship, a number of Premier League clubs have been impressed with the performances they have seen on Wearside.
Jack Clarke looks extremely likely to earn himself a top flight move, while Anthony Patterson is set to be the subject of a £8 million bid from Sheffield United.
The Black Cats will be desperate to keep hold of the likes of Dan Neil and Trai Hume, but another player could be tempted by the exit door if Manchester United come calling.
Manchester United will make the ‘strongest move’ for Sunderland gem
According to We Are Sunderland, the Red Devils are preparing a formal offer for Chris Rigg.
The report claims United are poised to make the ‘strongest move’ for the midfielder, as they look to overhaul their academy set-up to rival the likes of Chelsea and Man City when developing young talent.
United are one of a host of Premier League clubs that have been heavily linked with a move for Rigg, who has hugely impressed in his debut season.
The ‘wonderful‘ 16-year-old made his first league appearance in the 5-0 win over Southampton in September, netting his first goal and also becoming the club’s youngest ever league goalscorer.
He became a prominent figure in the final months of the campaign, making eight starts and being hailed as one of the few positives in an otherwise forgettable season.
Rigg signed a two-year scholarship deal with Sunderland last summer, but is unable to sign his first professional contract until after his 17th birthday in June.
The Black Cats are eager to tie him down to fresh terms this summer, but will struggle to match the likes of Manchester United financially if they are to make an offer.
Despite being on a scholarship contract, any club interested in signing the teenager will still have to make a bid to Sunderland. However, if they rejected the offer and Rigg still wanted to leave, the fee would be determined by an independent tribunal.
The Wearside outfit are hopeful that their promise of regular first-team football will persuade the youngster to stay, but interest from the likes of United, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen could be extremely tempting.
Chris Rigg could be persuaded by Kobbie Mainoo’s success
Rigg only has to look at Kobbie Mainoo to see what could become of him at Old Trafford.
The midfielder made his first Premier League start in November and already has 22 appearances to his name, as well as being a hot favourite to be included in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Rigg will be well aware that he would have to work even harder to make it at United though, while it is likely he would have to return to youth football first.
It would be a real shame if he did leave the Stadium of Light this summer given his potential and how much money Sunderland could make from his exit in the next couple of years.
Rigg could be a real game-changer in the Black Cats’ bid for promotion next season, and there is no doubt they would accept that he will eventually leave the club. However, moving him on when he has already signed a professional contract would be much more beneficial.