Newcastle United given transfer green light for Championship wonderkid wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool

Newcastle United have received fresh hope in their bid to sign Sunderland sensation Chris Rigg.

Reports have suggested the 16-year-old is ready to ditch the Black Cats this summer amid rumoured Premier League interest. Rigg is billed as one of English football’s brightest prospects and became Sunderland’s youngest-ever player last season.

An attacking and technically gifted midfielder, the Hebburn native captained England at under-16 level and, at 15, was already playing for the under-17 side. He now has three caps for the Three Lions’ under-18 setup despite not turning 17 until June.

Black Cats boss Michael Beale acknowledged Rigg’s progress at a recent press conference, insisting he can play a part in their promotion run-in. He said: "It's very hard for a player of his age to be any further forward than he is. I don't know exactly who he went away with for that World Cup but I'd be fairly sure that he's further forward at his club than many of those players.

“He is training with the first team every day. I like his mentality, it's the mentality of a young boy from the local area who is living his dream, and it's important that he keeps that because I think it could take him a long, long way. You can talk about the technique he's got, the passing, but I think that mentality is his super strength. He can play a part now, if we play with two eights high or a flat three at times, he can give us real balance on the left of that."

But a report from HITC has claimed Rigg - who has made just eight Championship appearances in 2023-24 - is considering his options. As well as Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea are linked with a move for the midfielder.

Toon interest first emerged last summer after he made a handful of appearances for the Black Cats. There were previous suggestions that Rigg’s family are Newcastle fans, although the player has yet to confirm where his loyalties lie.

The prospect signed a scholarship contract with Sunderland last summer which has just over a year left to run. Premier League clubs will be on high alert should Rigg announce his desire to leave the Stadium of Light.