Wolves Boss: We Don’t Even Have That “Huge” Money, £80m Deal Of A Big Star Has…

Wolves Boss: We Don’t Even Have That “Huge” Money, £80m Deal Of A Big Star Has…

Wolves told they have no chance as Man United eye ‘diamond’ pundit thinks may cost £60m

Anyone looking to sign one of the hottest talents in the EFL – take Wolves, for instance – may have Tottenham Hotspur to thank for setting a rather expensive benchmark.

At least, that is the view of former England international Carlton Palmer amid claims that Wolverhampton Wanderers have joined the ever-lengthening list of clubs pursuing arguably the Football League’s most coveted prospect.

He points out that Tottenham paid £30 million to sign Archie Gray from Leeds United last summer, with Joe Rodon going in the other direction as a makeweight.

That, Palmer believes, is the minimum Sunderland will now expect for their own teen sensation.

And with Wolves’ transfer budget likely to be restricted once again in 2025, it is difficult to imagine the men from Molineux stumping up the sort of fee required for Chris Rigg even without rival interest from some of Europe’s A-list institutions

Wolves chances of signing Sunderland’s Chris Rigg dismissed

“I don’t think Wolves would be in the market to sign a player of Chris Rigg’s ability,” Palmer, who represented Leeds, Southampton and Nottingham Forest amongst others in his playing days, tells Football League World.

“[Sunderland] will be wanting huge money for him, similar to the Archie Gray fee. Rigg, without a doubt, is the most talented player in the Championship. He will go on to have a top career in the Premier League, and is going to be a top, top footballer.

“So no disrespect to Wolves [but Rigg won’t be joining].”

TBR understands that Manchester United are determined to lure Rigg away from Sunderland in the New Year. Haunted still by their inability to complete a deal for a then-Birmingham based Jude Bellingham, the Red Devils are keen to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and a Borussia Dortmund outfit who set Bellingham on their way to superstardom are also in the mix.

And, with Sunderland top of the Championship and dreaming of promotion, Palmer believes that it would take a truly colossal offer for the Black Cats to even consider cashing in during the January window.

“At this moment in time, there is no panic for Chris Rigg. He’s only 17, is playing regularly,” Palmer adds.

“At some point, I do expect Rigg to move on. [But] if Sunderland are going to sell him in the January transfer window, which I think would be crazy, then they are going to want £50 to 60 million to part with him.”

Chris Rigg ‘an absolute diamond’ as Man United and Real Madrid circle

Still only 17, and having captained England at youth level, there appears to be no limit to Chris Rigg’s ceiling.

The Hebburn-born teenager is just about the first name on the team sheet for a Sunderland side with bonafide Premier League aspirations, and arguably no teenager has lit up the Championship quite so consistently since Bellingham’s days in Birmingham blue.

Rigg’s background in futsal, meanwhile, goes some way to explaining why he is so confident and composed in the tightest of spaces.

“To have a player like that, Sunderland have got an absolute diamond,” Steven Richardson, who coached Rigg for Hebburn Town’s futsal side, tells The Chronicle.

“He’s never not going to try. He’s always going to give everything until he can’t give anymore. He could probably play 100 to 180 minutes.

“I said before he’s like a Duracell bunny but he’s controlled with it as well.”

“At some point, I do expect Rigg to move on. [But] if Sunderland are going to sell him in the January transfer window, which I think would be crazy, then they are going to want £50 to 60 million to part with him.”

Chris Rigg ‘an absolute diamond’ as Man United and Real Madrid circle

Still only 17, and having captained England at youth level, there appears to be no limit to Chris Rigg’s ceiling.

The Hebburn-born teenager is just about the first name on the team sheet for a Sunderland side with bonafide Premier League aspirations, and arguably no teenager has lit up the Championship quite so consistently since Bellingham’s days in Birmingham blue.

Rigg’s background in futsal, meanwhile, goes some way to explaining why he is so confident and composed in the tightest of spaces.

“He’s never not going to try. He’s always going to give everything until he can’t give anymore. He could probably play 100 to 180 minutes.

“I said before he’s like a Duracell bunny but he’s controlled with it as well.”