· April 2 2025, 12:00
**There's always that 'what if' feeling when looking back at the 'one that got away' and for Newcastle United that is Sunderland's teenage sensation Chris Rigg.**
Despite Rigg's family being Newcastle United supporters, the then 15-year-old felt that his career would be best served if he joined Sunderland's academy, feeling that the route to the first team would be much quicker.
He has indeed burst into the Mackem's starting XI just a couple of years later. Now 17 years old, Rigg has missed just four Championship games for the Black Cats this season.
But his rise has been monitored by Newcastle, who still remain interested in the England U19 international.
Chris Rigg is a wanted man this summer
Newcastle would face stiff competition if they were to try and land Chris Rigg
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However, it's not just Newcastle who are looking down from the Premier League with interest according to [The Chronicle.](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-hear-chris-rigg-31323955)
Manchester United, Manchester City and West Ham are all keeping tabs on Rigg, who, it's expected, is likely to cost £25 million to prise away from the Stadium of Light.
Having only scored four goals and provided one assist this season, Rigg's numbers aren't exactly mindblowing, but it's his mature performances for such a young player that have really caught the eye more than his output.
Chris Rigg has the potential to be a massive player for England
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Former Sunderland star Michael Gray has tipped Chris Rigg to be a superstar.
> “Well I think speculation is never going to go away. If you’ve got talented players and they’re playing every single week in the Championship and they’re continuously getting better, then the Premier League clubs are going to have a look and try and sign them now because they’re going to get them for cheaper.“Chris Rigg is in that bracket because he’s an outstanding talent, has a wonderful left-foot, has a great turn of pace and he’s got an eye for goal.
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> “I think he grows every time you see him play and now he’s an England U19 player too. It was nice to see Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham stay at Sunderland because there was speculation in January, but they’re two talented players and whoever gets them are getting superstars.”
Newcastle have a lot of squad-building to do in the summer, but we don't think Chris Rigg will be part of that, especially if Sunderland manages to steal promotion to the Premier League. That should allow them to keep hold of him for at least another season, but when they get relegated again, which they will let's be honest, that's when Newcastle could strike.