Sunderland star Chris Rigg’s future may have just taken another turn after the most recent developments.
As we enter the business end of the 2024/25 Championship season, it is expected that several players within the Black Cats ranks will find themselves attracting interest from higher up sides.
Sunderland are within the race for promotion, with Regis Le Bris’ side planted firmly in 4th position, with one leg already in the play-off places, but if a return to the Premier League after an eight-year hiatus doesn’t quite come into fruition, then several players could move on in the summer.
The players weighing up a fair amount of interest at this point include Jobe Bellingham, currently wanted by Nottingham Forest, as well as a whole host of Premier League clubs, and fellow midfielders Dan Neil and Chris Rigg, the latter of whom has several top sides wanting to attain his services.
The most recent development involving Rigg sees Everton join the mix of clubs wanting to sign the 17-year-old, but there looks to be one major deterrent.
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Sunderland price-tag looks to deter Premier League sides for Chris Rigg
The next team to show interest in Rigg, per Alan Nixon on Patreon, is David Moyes’ Everton, with the former Sunderland manager reportedly a big fan of the youngster.
Everton sent coach Charlie Adam, predominantly known for his time at Liverpool and Blackpool as a player, to scout Rigg, who was handed a glowing report. However, Sunderland are reportedly standing firm in their valuation for Rigg, which currently stands far away from West Ham and Everton’s £10million price-tag they are hoping to strike a deal for.
Not just West Ham and Everton though, Sunderland’s stance at this moment is putting off all interested parties from making a formal bid for Rigg.
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
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Kristjaan Speakman has made correct decision to stand firm amid Chris Rigg interest
One thing that is often seen when Premier League sides go for a player thriving in the Championship, or lower down, often you see the Championship side with the short straw due to the fact that the player has no intention to turn down a move to a top team, but that isn’t the case with Sunderland.
With there being no real motive behind selling Rigg at this moment in time, whether it is the fact that the club is financially sound, as well as the youngster not displaying any huge desire to leave imminently, Kristjaan Speakman has made the correct call to hold out for a sizeable fee.
It may be a different story if Sunderland can’t achieve promotion, but Speakman is doing well to stand firm right now and not be bullied into compromise by Premier League clubs.