Liverpool & Everton join multiple clubs chasing rising Championship star

Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton have joined the growing list of clubs interested in signing Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg, reports claim.

The 17-year-old is regarded as of one of English football’s brightest young talents and has flourished in a Sunderland side well versed in giving opportunities to young players.

The i Paper state that Rigg has been scouted on numerous occasions this season by a variety of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham.

That list of suitors now includes Liverpool and Everton, who may be tempted to make a move for Rigg if Sunderland’s hopes of promotion to the Premier League come to nothing.

Rigg has two years remaining on his Sunderland contract and it’s reported that he’ll likely stay at the Stadium of Light if they are successful in their bid to return the top flight for the first time since 2017. That would suggest a new contract will be signed by the central midfielder, who is admired for his all-action approach and dynamic performances.

But an exit is possible if Sunderland don’t go up, likely for a significant transfer fee that could eclipse the £30m Tottenham paid Leeds United for Archie Gray last summer.

Liverpool’s squad is set to undergo a transformative makeover this summer, even though they are on the cusp of wrapping up the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge. Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have been strongly linked with exits, while Harvey Elliott’s lack of minutes in midfield continues to keep tongues wagging over his future.

As for Everton, they have secured their Premier League future thanks to a terrific run of form under David Moyes. The Scot, appointed for his second spell in charge after Sean Dyche’s sacking, has overseen five wins, six draws and three defeats in his 14 games in charge, leading the Toffees up to 13th in the table, and ahead of former club Manchester United.

They are in need of fresh faces, though, with one of the oldest squads in the Premier League.