What is it with Sunderland? Just now they seem to be holding several top notch teen talents whom have been linked with several Premier League Clubs. The Hammers have long held and interest in the trio of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg and Dan Neil.
Chris Rigg has looked the most likely of those, with Claret and Hugh reporting at the start of March that the livewire midfielder was offered to West Ham.
However it appears that, of course, several other Premier League clubs are hot on the Hammers’ heels, notably David Moyes’ Everton who have also enquired about Rigg.
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However, Everton’s interest has triggered a massive price hike, with Sunderland apparently sensing a bidding war, now demanding a £40 million transfer fee for the teenager.
Ridiculous, of course, an over inflated price made by a club desperate to hang onto their ‘starlet’ but one which will suddenly topple if Sunderland fail to win promotion.
Similarly, Moyes has – according to Everton News apparently ‘personally’ scouted Burnley defender Maxime Esteve – another reported West Ham target for the summer.
The first of the summer transfer windows is set to get pretty tasty come 1st June with several clubs all likely to be fighting for the same young stars of the future – Graham Potter and David Moyes will be going head to head with some very big Premier League names this summer.