United could revive their interest in young star
NEWCASTLE United may be able to have another crack at signing Sunderland sensation Chris Rigg, after failing with an approach for the teenager in the summer.
The Magpies were keen to land 16-year-old Rigg, who has Newcastle-supporting family members, for compensation under the Elite Player Performance Plan last year.
However, Sunderland managed to keep hold of the midfielder by offering him a route into the first team at Championship level, which was enough to seal the deal.
Rigg has since struggled for opportunities in the senior side, playing just 32 minutes of Championship football since October. Now, speculation is rife Newcastle are set to revive their interest.
Rigg impressed when promoted to Sunderland’s first-team last term and became Sunderland’s youngster ever outfield player when making his debut at the age of 15 years and 203 days in the FA Cup third round tie at Shrewsbury Town.
Former Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray heaped praise on Rigg’s attributes before he was sacked late last year, comparing the Sunderland youngster to former Stadium of Light boss Roy Keane.
“He is this warrior-like character, a personality and internal mechanism,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Newcastle. “He wants to win every tackle, every five-a-side, every contest he’s in, which is pretty unique in a footballer.
“I shouldn’t really say it, but it’s that Roy Keane-esque type of ‘nastiness’. He’s a nice kid, but not so much of a nice kid when he’s got his boots on and is on the pitch.”
Newcastle may now have the perfect opportunity to land Rigg this time around due to his lack of game time under new boss Michael Beale.
The move would align with sporting director Dan Ashworth’s plan to land promising talent for the club’s youth sides.
Manchester United and Liverpool tracked Rigg last summer before he decided to sign a new deal at Sunderland.