Man Utd to submit summer bid for Championship wonderkid

Cameron Smith

• 13 May 2024 15:00 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are reportedly set to start a bidding war for 16-year-old Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.

The teenager has burst onto the first-team scene this campaign and he is being monitored by numerous Premier League clubs following his impressive start to senior football.

Rigg made his Sunderland debut against Shrewsbury Town at the age of just 15 back in January 2023, and he ended the 2023-24 season with 22 first-team appearances under his belt - scoring twice.

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However, Sunderland now face a fight to keep hold of the talented midfielder amid serious interest from Man Utd.

According to The Northern Echo, Erik ten Hag’s side are poised to submit a summer offer for Rigg after scouting him consistently over the past few months. If they do lodge an offer, it’s expected to start a bidding war between other interested clubs.

However, Man Utd are currently considered to be the favourites in the race to sign the 16-year-old. Rigg has played a total of 25 senior games for Sunderland and the Championship club are hoping that the allure of regular first-team football may be enough for the Englishman to reject a summer move away.

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Chris Rigg to join Man Utd?

Sunderland want Rigg to sign a professional contract when he turns 17 in June, but they face significant competition from a host of top clubs.

As per The Northern Echo, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are all interested in Rigg and will rival Man Utd for his signature this summer.

The Red Devils famously missed out on Jude Bellingham during his time in the Championship with Birmingham City, despite the fact he was given a tour of their Carrington training ground in a bid to convince him to join the club.

The England international opted to join Dortmund instead, before sealing an initial €103 million transfer to Real Madrid last summer.