Exclusive: Man Utd trying to buy £20m wonderkid they think could be as good as Bellingham, Newcastle also keen
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- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Manchester United believe there is a talent in the Championship who could become as good as Jude Bellingham – with those on the recruitment team at Old Trafford now pushing to sign him.
However, Newcastle are also desperate to secure his signature.
So, who are Manchester United and Newcastle trying to sign? Let’s take a look…
Manchester United pushing hard to sign Newcastle target Chris Rigg
TBR Football have been told that Manchester United are determined to sign Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.
Scouts working for the Red Devils were in attendance at the Stadium of Light on Saturday to watch the 17-year-old in action, and were presumably impressed as he scored a fantastic backheel to secure a 1-0 win.
Sources inform TBR Football that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle were also scouting the teenager on Saturday.
In fact, it is understood that Rigg has been a target for Newcastle for some time now, with the Magpies desperate to sign the Geordie from their bitter rivals.
Rigg – an attacking midfielder – is also being monitored by Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, with Sunderland valuing him around the £20m mark.
Red Devils think 17-year-old could emulate Jude Bellingham
Interestingly, sources have also told TBR Football exactly what Manchester United think of Rigg – who has been described as having a “wonderful” left foot by Tony Mowbray.
It is believed that those on the recruitment team at Old Trafford feel the Hebburn-born wonderkid could become as good as Real Madrid No.5 and England international Bellingham one day, such is his immense potential.
Manchester United famously missed out on the £105m man to Borussia Dortmund back in July 2020 – despite giving him a tour of Carrington and setting up a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson – so there is clearly a desire to bounce back from that by signing another potentially world class talent from the Championship.
Rigg is likely to secure a big move in the summer of 2025 – so be sure to keep an eye on this situation.
