Pundit tips Sunderland to agree loan-back deal in January after £20-30m fee revealed | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his verdict on Sunderland's £20-30m asking price for Chris Rigg

Carlton Palmer believes that Premier League clubs will test the water in January for Sunderland’s Chris Rigg and has tipped the Black Cats to agree a loan-back deal should he be sold, amid reports of a £20-30 million price tag on the player.

According to Football Insider, the Black Cats have set a significant asking price on the 17-year-old ahead of potential transfer interest in the new year.

Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid have all been mentioned as clubs with an interest in the midfielder.

Rigg broke into the Sunderland first-team squad last season but has cemented himself as a key part of the team since Régis Le Bris’ appointment as head coach in the summer.

The youngster has a contract with the club until the summer of 2027, although that may not stop his departure from happening in 2025 instead if someone is willing to meet their asking price.

Carlton Palmer praises Chris Rigg’s impact at Sunderland

Palmer has been impressed by Rigg’s performances for Sunderland this season, highlighting his awarding of the young player of the month for September.

He believes the Wearside outfit have moved quickly to get ahead of the upcoming January window to potentially ward off interest from elsewhere.

“Sunderland set a £20-30 million price tag on their young, teenage sensation Chris Rigg,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Sunderland are trying everything in their powers to ward off Premier League interest and European interest in the 17-year-old.

“Apparently, the likes of Chelsea, Man United, and Real Madrid are all monitoring his progress.

“He’s already been outstanding this season.

“He’s won the goal of the month, and the young player of the month for September, and continues to impress with his performances.

“He’s under contract at the Stadium of Light until 2027, he had a cameo appearance in the first game and then he has started every game since that.

“He’s been outstanding, showing his versatility and how good he is.

“He’s already scored three goals this season, which is an improvement on the two goals he notched in his breakout league campaign.

“He’s already represented England at U18s but has yet to break into the U21 setup.

“So Sunderland have moved quickly to set the price tag for this teenage sensation.”

Palmer expects Chris Rigg transfer offer in January

However, Palmer believes that Sunderland will still face a stern test to keep Rigg, claiming that their best path forward may be to sell and negotiate a loan deal to keep him for the rest of the campaign.

“Do I see a Premier League club paying that in January? I think so,” he added.

“He’s the most talented youngster in the country, bar none.

“There has been a lot of interest already for him.

“I’m sure any deal Sunderland will do, given the position they are in and they will want to get back to the Premier League, will be that he stays on loan until the end of the season.

“Obviously Sunderland would like to keep hold of the player, even if they get to the Premier League, but £20-30 million is a lot of money for the teenager.

“The best they can do is let him go and get him back on loan.

“The people who are looking after him will talk to him and say ‘listen, Chris, you’re playing regularly at Sunderland, you don’t want to go to a Premier League side, one of the top teams that are looking at him, and not play, so it might be in your interest to stay here another season or two'.

“But I can see a Premier League club trying to test the waters with Sunderland come January.”

Chris Rigg situation will be a big test for Sunderland

Sunderland find themselves in a promotion battle this year, and Rigg’s goals have been a big part of that.

Selling him in January could dent their hopes of a top-two spot, so interest from top teams will be far from ideal.

While a £20-30 million move for a 17-year-old would represent fantastic business, Sunderland will still feel he could be worth so much more in a few years’ time, if they could somehow convince him to stay.