Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are both ready to step up their interest in Sunderland star Chris Rigg, according to HITC.
The 17-year-old has caught the attention of a number of clubs from both the Premier League and abroad over the course of the year. His emergence from the Black Cats’ academy saw the midfielder linked with a move to Liverpool and Newcastle United, whilst Manchester United were thought to have been considering making a move in the summer.
Sunderland faced a fight to retain the service of the youngster, with the England under-18 international unable to sign a professional contract until the end of his two-year scholarship. However, he eventually committed his future to the club in July by penning a three-year deal. Speaking at the time, the player admitted that he had been desperate to put pen to paper, saying:
“It is a proud moment for myself and my family to be signing my first professional contract at a club like Sunderland. I have been dying to sign it for almost a year now.
“I want to develop as a player and improve as a person – and I believe this is the best place for me to do that. All the staff have been unbelievable with me throughout my journey at the Academy of Light, but there are still so many improvements I can make.
“The hard work starts now, but I am looking forward to making many more memories representing this club.”
Rigg has started three of the Wearsiders opening four games in the Championship as Regis Le Bris has guided his team to the top of the table. The teenager has become a staple of the first team, with the 3-1 win over Portsmouth before the international break the first time the teenager had completed a full 90 minutes of league football for the club.
Despite him now being under contract until 2027, it is claimed that there is still much interest from Europe. Borussia Dortmund have long been linked with the player but are ready to step up their pursuit. They are joined by European champions Real Madrid, as well as Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
According to HITC, scouts are working with both clubs and describe Rigg as ‘the best young English player since Jude Bellingham’. Furthermore, the report states that interest in the academy graduate is ‘growing each week’.
Sunderland will look to extend their 100% start to the campaign this season when they take on struggling Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.
Writer’s View
There is going to be constant noise surrounding Chris Rigg’s future for a considerable amount of time yet. This is likely to increase as we get closer to the January transfer window, but Sunderland will be unfazed. They are protected by his three-year contract and the player himself admitted in the summer that he only saw his immediate future at the Stadium of Light.
It seems unlikely that any transfer will materialise in January, by which time his value could skyrocket after a full season of senior football. Furthermore, should the Black Cats be able to maintain their superb start and earn an unlikely spot in the Premier League, their chances of keeping the attacking midfielder would increase exponentially.
Head of Writing
