Chris RiggChris Rigg
Chris Rigg | Getty Images
Everton and West Ham have both been linked with the Championship star ahead of the summer
Everton and West Ham both have the chance to bolster their ranks this summer when the next transfer window. David Moyes and Graham Potter will be keen on putting their own stamp on their respective squads ahead of next season. It is safe to say that the pair have managed to keep their teams in the Premier League for another year.
The Toffees and the Hammers are locked on the same points in 15th place in the table. Wolves then occupy 17th but are nine points above the drop zone. Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town make up the bottom three and all look set to drop back into the Championship after just a year.
Chris Rigg transfer decision between Everton and West Ham
Everton and West Ham are among the teams keen on Sunderland star Chris Rigg, according to Sky Sports. Other teams are also said to be interested, including some unnamed outfits from the Bundesliga. The Black Cats are set to face a battle to keep hold of the 17-year-old. He is being tipped for a bright future in the game and is valued around £20 million, as per CaughtOffside.
Out of the two, the South Shields-born man should pick the Toffees. Moyes has a proven track record of helping talent make the step up from the Football League into the top flight. During his early years at Goodison Park, he landed Tim Cahill from Millwall and aided his development.
He then lured Jarrod Bowen from Hull City to West Ham and he has now become their captain and become a regular with England. Rigg would be better off going to a team like Everton than a top team such as Arsenal or Manchester City, for example, as he would be guaranteed more minutes.
The attacking midfielder, who is an England youth international, has risen up through the academy ranks at Sunderland and was a regular at various different youth levels. He made his debut in January 2023 and he hasn’t looked back since. Rigg has made 61 appearances in all competitions to date and has scored seven goals.
Why Chris Rigg would suit Everton
Everton could see Rigg as someone who will be a big player for them down the line. In the interim term, he would give them more competition and depth in their ranks. He would also give Moyes something different to pick from in matches.
The Toffees have their new stadium on the horizon and this would be an exciting time to join the Merseyside club. They need top players to play in their sparkling new home and landing Rigg would be a statement of intent, especially if they got him ahead of league rivals.
Sunderland are unlikely to keep him if they don’t go up this term. Regis Le Bris’ side are in the play-offs right now along with Burnley, Coventry City and West Brom. They have a few promising talents at their disposal as well as Rigg like Jobe Bellingham and Dan Neil.
Rigg penned a new deal last year and is under contract until 2027. After penning his contract he said: “I am absolutely buzzing. I have been dying to sign for almost a year now. The hard work starts now but I am looking forward to making many more memories representing this Club.”