Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg.
The 17-year-old put pen to paper on his first professional contract this summer, with a view to cementing his spot in the first-team plans at the Stadium of Light.
With a reputation for giving young talent opportunities on the senior stage, the Black Cats are living up to that billing with the game time of Rigg.
The midfielder has featured in all four of Sunderland's opening Championship fixtures, starting three, including a 1-0 win over recently-relegated Burnley on August 24.
Since the arrival of Regis Le Bris in the summer, the North-East giants have enjoyed a major turnaround in their fortunes and currently sit top of the second-tier standings.
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Real Madrid monitoring Sunderland star Rigg?
According to HITC, Champions League holders Real Madrid are interested in securing the services of Sunderland's Rigg in the near future.
The report claims that Los Blancos view the 17-year-old as one of the hottest prospects on the continent at this moment following his impressive displays for the Black Cats.
It is understood that Carlo Ancelotti's side believe that Rigg could have a similar trajectory to Jude Bellingham, who also started his senior career in the Championship.
The Madrid star started out at Birmingham City, where he became a regular starter in the engine room under Pep Clotet during the 2019-20 term.
As well as the European champions, it is said that German giants Borussia Dortmund also are keeping tabs on the progress of Rigg ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
![Archie Gray of Tottenham during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, London, July 20th, 2024. [on July 26, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/30/archie-gray.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Archie Gray of Tottenham during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, London, July 20th, 2024. [on July 26, 2024]")
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Man United rejection and EFL success stories
Before signing a professional contract at the Stadium of Light over the summer, it is believed that Rigg had the opportunity to move away to a Premier League club.
The 17-year-old is said to have rejected the advances of both Manchester United and Newcastle United before committing his short-term future to the Black Cats.
Nevertheless, there are still reportedly a number of Premier League clubs tracking Rigg, who could follow in the footsteps of Archie Gray and Adam Wharton from the Championship to the top table of English football.
Carter White
