Sunderland are in talks with Chris Rigg over a new and improved contract. The 18-year-old is being tracked by a number of top Premier League clubs but the Black Cats are moving to tie down his long-term future as they prepare for their first season back in the top flight.
Despite only turning 18 last month, Rigg was almost ever-present under Regis Le Bris in the Championship last season, making 45 league appearances and scoring four goals from midfield. Sunderland could bank a large fee by moving him on this summer, with Everton and West Ham among a whole host of Premier League sides keeping tabs on the teenager, but the newly-promoted outfit would rather keep hold of their academy graduate.
Rigg signed a contract until 2027 last July, but Express Sport understands that negotiations over an extension and an improved pay packet are currently taking place. The youngster would be happy to stay in the familiar surroundings of the north-east as he prepares to try and make his mark on the Premier League.
And there is a feeling among those close to Rigg that staying with Sunderland will offer him the best opportunity of playing regular top-flight football.
The Black Cats have been splashing the cash so far this summer, with big sums spent on Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki.
But the sales of Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson to Borussia Dortmund and Brighton respectively have gone some way towards balancing the books and lessening the need to flog Rigg to the highest bidder.
The talented teenager, who can play in attacking midfield or out wide, is an England Under-19 international and he made the squad for this summer's European Championship before being forced to pull out through injury.
Last season, Le Bris talked up Rigg as an important part of Sunderland's identity. He said: "Chris Rigg is a good symbol of what we want to create and what we want to build as a team and as a club. I don’t think the age is a problem.
"You can have a high level of maturity at 17 and you can have a low level of maturity at 30. It depends on the player’s personality. Chris still wants to improve, he still wants to understand the game. Chris has this character, this personality to play whatever the circumstances so I like that. He is also a very good team-mate so he is a very good symbol for us."