Real Madrid join Man Utd in race to sign 'next Bellingham'

Cameron Smith

• 10 Sept 2024 20:45 BST
• 4 min read

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund have all reportedly joined the race to sign Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg.

The 17-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the past few months, but the Red Devils are set to face significant competition for his signature.

Real Madrid have been tracking his progress for the past 12 months and Rigg has several suitors in the Bundesliga, according to HITC.

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The teenager is already a regular in Sunderland’s first-team and his ascent to stardom has drawn comparisons to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham - who enjoyed a similar rise at Birmingham City.

The Sunderland academy graduate made his first-team debut against Shrewsbury Town in January 2023, becoming the club’s second-youngest player in history at just 15 years and 203 days old.

Later that year, Rigg became Sunderland’s youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted versus Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup, becoming the youngest player to score in the competition’s history in the process.

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The England U18 international has already made three Championship starts so far this season and he is set to be the subject of significant transfer interest next summer.

However, his contract at Sunderland isn’t due to expire until 2027, meaning the Black Cats will be aiming to retain his services for a little while longer.

What has been said about Chris Rigg?

After Rigg’s senior debut against Shrewsbury in 2023, team-mate Luke O’Nien was eager to heap praise on the teenager.

He told Chronicle Live: “I have to give a big shout-out to Riggy. That’s been my highlight of the day, seeing him come on.

“He’s been coming up to the first team and he has made us look silly, and I think he contributed to the first goal by winning the corner. He’s 15. I don’t know what I was doing at 15, but I was nowhere near at his level.”