Sunderland will resist any offers made for midfielder Chris Rigg in January as they focus their efforts on their Championship promotion push, according to Football Insider.
The 17-year-old has long been touted as the most recent jewel from the Wearsiders academy. Making his debut for the club in January 2023, he became a regular fixture of the first team towards the end of last season.
This led to speculation that he could be set to move to the Premier League, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle United all linked with the teenager. However, he committed his future to the Black Cats, penning a three-year deal in July.
Key Cog Under Le Bris
New life has been breathed into Sunderland since the arrival of Regis Le Bris in the summer. Fresh off the back of a dismal campaign and a revolving door of managers, the Frenchman has guided the club to the summit of the Championship, where they have already opened up a five point gap.
Rigg has been a vital component of the team thus far, scoring three times in 12 league appearances. He has shown that he is willing to step up in big games, bagging the winner in the Wear-Tees derby against Middlesbrough in September whilst also scoring importance goals against Leeds United and Luton Town.
Premier League Interest Continues
Manchester United are said to remain interested in bringing the England under-18 international to Old Trafford. Although Erik ten Hag was relieved of his position earlier this week, it is owners INEOS who have identified Rigg as a player they would like to recruit and their stance is unlikely to change.
Chelsea have also been identified as admirers and Football Insider state that Sunderland will not entertain any offers once the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
Writer’s View
Sunderland’s stance is understandable. Rigg is a player who will be crucial to the Black Cats’ promotion ambitions and they will hope to be the club who will give him his first taste of Premier League football next season.
Speculation will be rife in January but in all honesty, this is not the type of signing that the so-called big teams will be looking to make in winter. Any additions will be made with the current season in mind and as such, it is more likely that more concrete interest will arrive next summer.
Head of Writing
