Chris Rigg, the Sunderland midfielder who has previously been linked with a move to Birmingham City, will cost suitors in excess of £20m according to reports.
Blues were linked with a move for teenager Rigg back in September, following the closure of the summer transfer window, and now reports suggest Premier League West Ham United are also keeping an eye on proceedings.
Rigg, 17, has scored four goals in 36 appearances for the Black Cats this term; under Regis Le Bris, they are well placed in the Championship play-offs and look set to have a crack at promotion to the Premier League following the culmination of the regular season in May.
It’s claimed that Sunderland will demand a sum of at least £20m by way of compensation if they were to part with Rigg at any stage in the near future, but West Ham hope to tempt them into telling for a fee of £10m up front.
Sunderland sporting director – and former Blues guru – Kristjaan Speakman said after the closure of the winter window, in which the club held onto their best young players: “Often not enough is made of being able to retain talent. In January there’s lots of competitors and teams who lose talent in the window.
“Our ownership has been really firm on the fact we are trying to retain and build. That often means you are making difficult decisions in turning offers and opportunities down.
“We’ve got such a committed playing group it doesn’t become a difficulty for us. Everyone here is focused on the remaining games and getting us to the top of the table.”
Sunderland have had interest and bids for fellow youngster Tommy Watson, while they expect to entertain interest in Blues academy product Jobe Bellingham in this coming summer window, too.
Blues, meanwhile, are already planning for a return to the Championship. They are 12 points clear of third placed Wycombe with a game in hand and the summer of recruitment will be centred around ensuring that they make their mark on the second tier with their newfound winning mentality.
Rigg broke into the first-team environment at the Stadium of Light under Tony Mowbray last season and he has been a regular in the side despite his young age.
He scored a classy winner at Middlesbrough towards the beginning of the season and has struck against Leeds and Blackburn, too.
Rigg, who is looking to inspire the Mackems to promotion and a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, has been linked with the likes of Everton for quite a period of time, too, and understandably has admirers throughout the top flight. He has been a regular in the England under 17s and 18s age groups.
The midfielder signed his first senior contract upon turning 17 last summer, a three-year deal which runs until the summer of 2027.
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