Predicting Sunderland AFC's 2 next big money departures ft Chris Rigg | OneFootball

There are some potentially expensive players at The Stadium of Light

It has certainly been a promising start to the 2024/25 Championship season from a Sunderland perspective.

Under new manager Regis Le Bris, the Black Cats have already picked up a number of eye-catching results.

Consequently, they are one of the sides who are now competing for a top six spot in the early stages of the campaign.

What has perhaps made that even more impressive, is the fact they are doing it, following the departure of a key player during the summer transfer window, in the form of Jack Clarke.

Following two excellent campaigns in the second-tier with Sunderland, the winger was sold to Ipswich Town.

That deal was reported by the BBC to have cost an initial £15million, with a potential to be worth £5million more in add-ons, meaning it brought plenty of funds into the Stadium of Light in the process.

There are also several other players currently with the Black Cats, who may be able to bring some sizable fees into the club in the near future.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at two players who have the potential to be the next big money exits from Sunderland, right here.

Chris Rigg

The rise of Chris Rigg is a remarkable one, with the midfielder becoming the club's second-youngest debutant ever when he featured in an FA Cup clash with Blackpool in January 2023.

He then went on to be a regular feature for the Black Cats last season, and is now an almost constant presence in the side under Le Bris, thanks to some outstanding performances.

Still only 17, he has also shown he knows where the net is, not least with his stunning flicked finish in last week's 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Indeed, Rigg's contributions for Sunderland are attracting some significant attention from elsewhere, with Manchester United said to be one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in him.

However, the midfielder only signed a new contract at The Stadium of Light this summer, securing his future with the Black Cats until the end of the 2026/27 season.

As a result, his current club are in a strong position to demand a big fee for his sale in the near future.

But given the talent he is showing and progress he is already making, it would be no surprise to see clubs in the Premier League ensure they are willing and able to pay whatever Sunderland might ask for him.

Trai Hume

Signed from Linfield in his native Northern Ireland back in the 2022 January transfer window, Trai Hume initially took some time to earn his place in the Black Cats' side.

However, he would do that in the 2022/23 campaign, and has only continued to be more and more important to the club.

The right-back has featured in every league game Sunderland have played since the start of last season, and his performances are also attracting admiring glances from elsewhere.

Earlier in the year, the likes of Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Leicester City, Leeds United and Napoli were all reported to be showing an interest in the 22-year-old.

As things stand, Hume also has a contract with the Black Cats until the summer of 2027, meaning he is another the club can demand a big fee for.

So while that amount of interest could make it hard for Sunderland to keep him for much longer, his contract, and a potential bidding war, means they should make plenty of money if Hume is to leave.