HITC is told that Manchester United scouts firmly believe that the club need to succeed in bringing Chris Rigg to the club after failing to land Jude Bellingham.
United publicly made a big play for Bellingham to try and convince him to move to Old Trafford when he was leaving Birmingham City in 2020.
However, Bellingham opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead of United and he has since moved to Real Madrid and become one of the most talked about players in world football and now United want to make sure they don’t miss out on Rigg too.
Man United planning to win Chris Rigg battle
HITC is told that United believe Rigg could have a similar ceiling to Bellingham and they are already looking at making sure they land the Football League’s top talent – unlike in 2020.
United have been hot on Rigg’s trail since he was 15, and have continued closely monitoring him since his breakthrough into Sunderland’s first-team. Indeed, HITC has been informed that United’s scouts feel Rigg has the potential to be their next Bryan Robson or Roy Keane, they feel that strongly about him.
United were one of a number of clubs looking to land him this summer before he signed his first professional contract at the Stadium of Light, but the young midfielder wanted to stay with Sunderland to continue his first-team education.
However, HITC is told that United’s hierarchy are looking closely at a deal for Rigg and Sunderland are bracing themselves up for offers, and sources believing a deal could be agreed in January which would then see the teenager move next summer.
Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid amongst Rigg admirers
United, though, are not alone in their admiration as Newcastle United would love to bring in Rigg, who is a Geordie, but his family are insisting he does not just choose his local side.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are also keen on Rigg and have spoken to his camp, but like with Bellingham the main danger could come from abroad and ironically it could be Borussia Dortmund again.
HITC can confirm that Dortmund, along with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig are huge admirers. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also aware of Rigg’s progress.
Rigg was the hero for Sunderland on the weekend as he scored a brilliant back-heel flick to give his side a 1-0 win over local rivals Middlesbrough and HITC can confirm a number of his suitors were present at the Stadium of Light to see his performance.
After the game Rigg was delighted to have got the winner, and told Sky Sports: “My first goal of the season and hopefully many more, I didn’t have enough numbers last year and I am trying to improve on that.”
Teammate Luke O’Nien also spoke after the game and he was full of praise for Rigg: “He is unbelievable, the things he does in training, it is a pleasure to watch, it is memorising. One of our best players and he is doing what he does.”
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