Report: Birmingham join Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in race to sign one of world football's 'premier talents' for his age

Birmingham City have joined some of England and Europe’s top clubs in the race to land a player who has been described as ‘one of the premier talents in world football for his age’.

And the Blues’ American owners hope that Tony Mowbray’s links to the rising star - Sunderland’s 16-year-old attacking midfielder Chris Rigg - can make them serious contenders when the time comes to make a move.

The Sunderland Echo claims that won’t be any time soon, with the youngster keen to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Stadium of Light, with ambitions to be captain. He was also convinced to sign a two-year scholarship deal with the Black Cats last summer, with the player and his camp reportedly convinced by the pathway that has been put in place by the club for his development.

That was considered something of a coup for Sunderland - especially amid interest from some of the biggest clubs in the land, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.  But aged just 16, Rigg is not yet eligible to sign professional terms at the Stadium of Light and he could, technically, move to another club if a fee was agreed.

So where to Birmingham enter the equation?

With a host of huge clubs keeping tabs on the player’s situation, it begs the question: how can Birmingham compete with such distinguished company? Well, it’s no secret that the Blues’ new owners have ambitions above their current Championship status and are keen to end a top-flight absence that is currently in it’s 13th season. And they believe Mowbray could be key, after he handed Rigg his Sunderland debut against Shrewsbury in last season’s FA Cup as a 15-year-old.

During the Birmingham boss’ time in charge at the Stadium of Light, the exciting talent also became Sunderland’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 16 years of age and 51 days, after he netted in a 1-1 League Cup draw against Crewe back in August.

Rigg has featured 11 times for Sunderland, with eight of those coming this season. He’s yet to start a game for the Black Cats - although that is likely to come between now and the end of the current campaign, with Mowbray’s replacement at Wearside, Michael Beale, keen to utilise the attacking midfielder’s talent more.

Birmingham & Co are monitoring Rigg’s progress with interest.