Everton pushing to sign Sunderland highly-rated youngster Chris Rigg

Everton have become the latest Premier League club to express serious interest in signing Sunderland’s highly-rated youngster, Chris Rigg, in the upcoming transfer window. The 17-year-old midfielder has been making waves in English football, attracting attention from top-flight clubs due to his impressive performances for both club and country.

Chris Rigg has already amassed significant playing experience despite his young age. Having played 62 games for Sunderland, he has demonstrated his ability to perform consistently, scoring seven goals and providing one assist. His talent extends to the international stage as well, where he has made three appearances for England’s U19 squad, scoring one goal.

Rigg’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting that Everton have now entered the race to secure the young star’s signature. The Merseyside club joins the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, who are also monitoring his progress closely.

Sunderland, who are still in contention for promotion to the Premier League, have placed a hefty price tag of around £40 million on Rigg. Given his potential and importance to the squad, the Championship club is reluctant to part ways with one of their most promising academy graduates. However, Everton, who are looking to strengthen their squad without overspending, are reportedly aiming to secure a deal for around £10 million—considerably less than Sunderland’s valuation.

This significant gap in valuation could make negotiations challenging, but Everton may hope that Rigg’s desire to play in the Premier League could help facilitate a transfer. The Toffees have a history of developing young talent, and they could offer Rigg a clear pathway to first-team football.

Despite his age, Rigg has been a crucial part of Sunderland’s squad this season. The talented midfielder has featured in 37 matches across all competitions, contributing four goals and one assist. His versatility and ability to influence games from midfield make him a valuable asset for Sunderland, and they will be keen to retain his services as they push for Premier League promotion.

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If Sunderland fail to secure promotion, they may struggle to keep hold of Rigg, as the allure of playing in England’s top tier could be too strong to resist. With several top clubs vying for his signature, it remains to be seen whether Everton will succeed in landing the highly sought-after youngster.

Everton’s financial situation has been a concern in recent years, making smart and cost-effective signings a priority. The club has focused on bringing in young talent who can develop into key players for the future. Signing Chris Rigg would align with this strategy, as he represents both an investment for the future and an immediate asset for their squad.

However, the competition from other Premier League clubs means Everton must act swiftly and decisively if they want to win the race for Rigg’s signature. With Tottenham and Manchester United also interested, negotiations could become a bidding war, making it crucial for Everton to present an appealing offer to both Sunderland and the player.

Chris Rigg’s future remains uncertain, but his performances for Sunderland and England’s U19 team have cemented his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in English football. Everton’s interest in the midfielder highlights their ambition to bolster their squad with emerging talent, but they will face stiff competition from other Premier League giants.

As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Sunderland and Rigg’s next move. Whether Everton can secure his signature remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Chris Rigg is a name to watch in the coming years.

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Would Chris Rigg be a good signing for Everton?

Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.