Sunderland have reportedly held ‘positive talks’ over a new contract for one of their most exciting prospects.
The summer transfer window opened last week and Sunderland will now be preparing to bat away interest from a number of their key players.
The likes of Jobe Bellingham and Jack Clarke have attracted interest from the Premier League, while Dan Neil has rejected an opening contract offer from his boyhood club.
The Black Cats can’t afford to lose all of their prized assets, though they may not have much of a choice if Chris Rigg decides he wants to leave.
The midfielder signed a two-year scholarship deal last summer and could potentially leave for a compensation fee if he opts against signing his first professional contract.
Rigg turns 17 years old tomorrow and will be eligible to put pen to paper, however reports have claimed he is still waiting to find out who the club will appoint as their new manager before making any rash decisions.
With Sunderland still waiting to bring in a new head coach, it is unclear how long they will have to wait before Rigg makes his mind up.
Chris Rigg has held ‘positive talks’ with Sunderland
However, initial discussions are thought to have gone well, with journalist James Copley claiming the Wearside outfit have ‘held positive talks’ with the teenager.
He wrote on X: “Chris Rigg turns 17 tomorrow and can sign his first pro deal. Player and club have a deal agreed in principle, have also held positive talks recently, but… Interest from massive clubs in England and abroad. Player waiting to see who club’s head coach will be.”
The latest update on Rigg does suggest that he wants to continue his career on Wearside, having made 21 appearances in the Championship last term.
The Black Cats can’t afford to get the manager appointment wrong
The 16-year-old is awaiting a decision from the club in their new manager search, and the outcome of that could surely see Rigg put pen to paper on fresh terms days later.
But if the youngster ends up turning down his first pro contract at the club, then that would suggest the Black Cats have failed in appointing a suitable head coach.
Their failure to keep hold of Rigg could mean the likes of Neil and Jobe are failing the same way.
Whoever the next manager is will have a huge challenge on their hands either way, but it will be made much harder if they lose a number of their key players over the next few months.