Chris Rigg could keep his spot for Monday night’s trip to Leeds United – and a number of top level scouts are set to be in attendance.
Rigg was substituted in the second half against Luton Town but manager Regis Le Bris has confirmed the player should be OK to face Leeds.
The game is a huge clash at the top of the Championship as the league leaders host fourth-placed Sunderland.
Rigg remains a key part of Le Bris’ plans, with Sunderland having resisted any interest in the player during the winter window. There are plenty of interested parties ready to pounce in the summer, however, to sign the Wearside sensation.
Should he depart the club, it will involve a hefty fee and that sum has been revealed.
With such interest from across the UK and Europe, 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. Fans have long debated the true value of Rigg in the current market, but according to a reports this week, the answer is now clear – £25m.
Three of England’s top clubs — Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United — are the key interested parties when it comes to securing Rigg’s signature. And reports suggest Sunderland would accept the right offer at the end of the season and let the youngster move on.
The news will also put Newcastle United on red alert. The Magpies made a move to sign Rigg more than a year ago before the player signed a three-year professional contract with the Black Cats.
Meanwhile, the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Brighton, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Madrid have also been named as potential candidates in the race to sign Rigg.
The idea of selling Rigg in January was never an option for Sunderland, but that could change this summer although a lot depends on whether the club are in the Premier League.
He has been on the books of Sunderland since 2017 and a fresh report in talkSPORT has revealed Manchester United are especially keen and would like him to be part of head coach Ruben Amorim’s squad from next season. United sent scouts to watch Rigg in action for Sunderland against Middlesbrough and he is considered a young player available at a reasonable price with a future sell-on potential.
The Old Trafford outfit have targeted younger players since Ineos became co-owners of the club, running the football element under the eye of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
They have brought the likes of Leny Yoro, Sekou Kone and Chido Obi-Martin to the club as they target the best young players across Europe.
Rigg falls into that category. he has already made more than 50 first-team appearances despite still only being 17. The Hebburn youngster made his debut as a 15-year-old.
