Birmingham City tipped for transfer battle with Liverpool and Man United for £25m-rated wonderkid

Birmingham City have been linked with an ambitious attempt to sign Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.

The 17-year-old is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in English football, and Birmingham, who have showcased that they have big pockets, are reportedly considering a move for Rigg in the January transfer window. Birmingham face competition interest from top-level European clubs and teams in the Premier League, including Liverpool and Man United.

Published on his Patreon page, Sun journalist Alan Nixon said: "Birmingham City are plotting an extraordinary raid on Sunderland for midfield starlet Chris Rigg. The Blues have already splashed out fortunes on their new side in League One and now want the Black Cats babe.

“Birmingham's American owners know they can spend easier in the third tier than when they are promoted to the Championship. This strategy was behind the swoop for Jay Stansfield and now Rigg is in their sights. They could even offer close to £10 million.”

In the summer, Rigg committed his long-term future to the Wearside club by signing his first professional contract. He is under contract at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2027, and that at least gives the Black Cats some leverage should any club come to the negotiating a deal for him.

When he signed his new contract, Rigg said: “I want to develop as a player and improve as a person – and I believe this is the best place for me to do that.” Rigg has been given plenty of playing time this season, having played in all seven of their Championship matches.

Sunderland have an emphasis on developing young talent, and last summer, they signed Jobe Bellingham from Blues, for an initial £1.5 million, but already a big-money move is being spoken about. The North-East club are reportedly holding out for at least £20m for Jude Bellingham’s younger brother, and so it remains to be seen what they value Rigg at, given his potential too, though it would potentially be more than the £10m that Birmingham would be willing to pay.

Speaking to Football League World, former England international and pundit Carlton Palmer believes The Black Cats should hold hold out for £25m on Rigg, having sold Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town this summer for a reported £15m, plus £5m in potential add-ons.

He said: “I would think that Sunderland, when you look at what they got in for Jack Clarke, that they’d maybe be looking at a fee of about £25 million and add-ons at least for him.”