Everton lead race to sign Sunderland sensation Chris Rigg

Everton are currently frontrunners to sign Sunderland’s highly-rated midfielder Chris Rigg this summer.

Widely regarded as the best English talent to emerge since Jude Bellingham, Chris Rigg, 17, has caught the attention of top Premier League clubs after a standout season in the Championship. He has already made 40 league appearances, scoring four goals and providing one assist, helping Sunderland into the play-off mix.

The England Under-19 international has a contract until 2027, yet the Black Cats face growing pressure to keep hold of him, in case they miss out on promotion. At this moment, Everton are reportedly leading the race to sign Chris Rigg, who is also wanted by the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

With David Moyes’ club likely to activate their summer transfer plan for the youngster, Rigg has been touted as an exceptional young talent who could be brought in for a relatively low fee. The Toffees could strike a deal with Sunderland for more than £30 million for the 17-year-old this summer.

Everton want Chris Rigg to be part of David Moyes’ rebuild

The Friedkin Group, Everton’s new owners, are set to back David Moyes in the transfer market and bolster several areas of his underperforming squad. The Merseyside outfit have several first-team players out of contracts at the end of the season, as well as five loanees whose futures must be resolved very quickly.

The club’s recruitment team have started working to wrap up the deals quickly. Former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers scout Mick Brown thinks a move for Chris Rigg to Everton would “benefit” him a lot.

“One thing I do think is a possibility is a move to Everton,” Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider.

“They’re an experienced outfit, so adding Rigg in there would benefit him a lot just as it would benefit Everton to add some youth to their side. David Moyes wants to add younger talent to that team and Rigg is one I know they’ve been looking at.

“He will be given time to grow and develop, and then maybe he could make the move to a Man United or a Chelsea once he’s come on a bit more. At the moment, though, a move to Everton or a team like Everton is most likely for him.”

That being said, Everton beating several Premier League rivals to Rigg’s signing in the summer would represent nothing less than a massive coup.

I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.