Sunderland are ‘very confident’ that one key player will sign a new contract this summer.
Sunderland face much uncertainty this summer, with many clubs circling as they await for the transfer window to open.
Reports have claimed that Sheffield United are preparing a £8 million bid for Anthony Patterson, while the Black Cats will expect to face stiff competition to keep hold of Jack Clarke for the third window in a row.
The likes of Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Pierre Ekwah and Dan Neil have all been linked with moves to the Premier League.
However, Sunderland will be desperate to keep some of their prized assets as they look to rebuild and make a third attempt at reaching the top flight.
One of their most sought after players is Chris Rigg, who could be the subject of a bid from Manchester United next month. Meanwhile, the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle are also interested.
The 16-year-old looks to be one of the club’s most exciting prospects, but is unable to sign a professional contract until he turns 17 in June.
Chris Rigg ‘needs’ to stay at Sunderland
The top clubs will look to take advantage of that and snap him up beforehand, however pundit Carlton Palmer has claimed the Wearside outfit are ‘very confident’ he will stay.
Speaking to Football League World, the former midfielder said: ““At the moment the uncertainty of not having a manager [is an issue] because, at the end of the day that’s part and parcel of signing a new contract, you want to know if you’re getting first team football.
“But the one thing you can say about Sunderland is, if Chris Rigg stays at Sunderland, you know that with the way the club is run, he’s going to get that opportunity to play first team football.
“And that’s what he needs to do, he needs to play first team football, he needs to continue his education and then there’s the chance of that big-money move.
“We’ll have to wait and see.
“Sunderland are very confident that he’ll sign a new contract.
“There is a contract in place, he just can’t sign it until he’s 17.”
The teenager is smart enough to make the correct decision
Despite a lot of uncertainty around his future last summer, Chris Rigg did go onto sign a scholarship deal with Sunderland.
After a tough start to the season, the teenager forced his way into the starting line-up and it is very clear that he will become one of the first names on the team-sheet next term.
Rigg really seems to have enjoyed the final few months of the campaign, despite the poor results, and it would be surprising if he was to throw that away.
The youngster clearly has a very wise head on his shoulders, otherwise he wouldn’t have got this far already.
While Sunderland can obviously expect Rigg to move onto new pastures over the next few years, he would be silly to jump the gun and leave Wearside so soon.
There will be much more exciting opportunities for him if he can catch the eye after a full season in the Championship.
