Report: Arsenal could sign Roy Keane-like talent for £25m as his club now resigned to losing him
02/08/2025 04:15 AM
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are just some of the clubs who have been linked with Sunderland’s Chris Rigg in recent months.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey confirmed that Arsenal and Tottenham had scouts in attendance to watch Rigg in action against Millwall in November.
Arsenal and Manchester United then had scouts watching Rigg in Sunderland’s 3-2 win over local rivals Middlesbrough earlier this month, according to TBR Football sources.
Liverpool have also been credited with an interest as a report has emerged claiming how much Rigg’s suitors could look to sign him for in the summer.
Chris Rigg could be available for around £25million
Sunderland have resigned themselves to losing Chris Rigg in the summer amid increasing interest from the Premier League, according to CaughtOffside.
Although Sunderland have previously resisted approaches for their prized asset, they’re now looking to do business starting at £25million, added the report.
It has also been reported that Chelsea, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are also eyeing Rigg.
What Chris Rigg could bring to the Premier League
Rigg is a 17-year-old midfielder who plies his trade for Championship side Sunderland and represents England at Under-17 level.
Despite his young age, he has already made 53 competitive appearances for the Black Cats, registering seven goals and one assist.
TBR Football sources were told in September that those in the Man United recruitment ranks think Rigg has the potential to become as good as Jude Bellingham.
Meanwhile, Fotmob have quoted Tony Mowbray as saying Rigg possesses a "Roy Keane-esque type of nastiness" that makes him extremely effective out of possession.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham are among the biggest clubs in the country and, as such, it’s important for them to target the best players.
It’s very rare for a player so young to have clocked up over 50 competitive appearances for his club, which suggests Rigg has an incredible future ahead of him.
With that in mind, Rigg certainly seems like a player worth targeting, but there will no doubt be a lot of interest in him over the summer.
