Manchester United could make a move to snare 17-year-old midfielder Chris Rigg away from Sunderland, who have emerged as a promotion rival to Leeds United this season.
Rigg has been at the heart of a Sunderland side who have made a terrific start to the season and are sitting second in the Championship after six games.
The Black Cats are being considered as serious promotion contenders alongside Leeds based on early season form and the 17-year-old has been brilliant for the northeast side.
However, Sunderland’s form coupled with Rigg’s performances have brought more eyeballs on the club and the midfielder is now being linked with a move away from Wearside.
There are claims that Sunderland could come under pressure to sell the teenager as early as the January transfer window in a few months.
An age-old Leeds United rival have their eyes on Rigg ahead of the winter window
According to talkSPORT, Manchester United are stepping up on their interest in taking the midfielder to Old Trafford in January.
Several Premier League clubs have their eyes on the player as he is considered the best youngster to emerge in the Championship since Jude Bellingham.
Newcastle also have their eyes on him but Sunderland are unlikely to want to sell their top youngster to their most hated northeast rivals.
Manchester United have been keeping close tabs on Rigg and are claimed to be ready to make a move for him as early as the winter transfer window.
INEOS, Manchester United’s new minority owners, are keen to bring in the best young talents and the Sunderland midfielder is considered a top-drawer young player.
Rigg has less than three years left on his contract and Sunderland are unlikely to want to sell the player in the middle of the season. However, the Sunderland owners have not shied away from cashing in on young talents if a club are prepared to offer big money for them.
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland would be willing to sell Rigg in January if they are in contention for promotion at that stage of the season.
