Everton have entered the race to sign Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg, who is also a target for Tottenham, per a new report.
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Sunderland midfielder in demandBlack Cats slap £40m price-tag on teenagerFee may prove prohibitiveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Per Alan Nixon, Everton are the latest club to express their interest in signing Rigg from Sunderland this summer. Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the 17-year-old, who has emerged as a first-team star at the Stadium of Light. This season, the teenager has played 35 times in the Championship, scoring four goals, with Sunderland fourth in the table and pushing for promotion via the play-offs.
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Due to Sunderland's strong league position, and the fact that Rigg has a deal until 2027, the Black Cats are demanding a fee of £40 million ($52m) for Rigg, which may prove prohibitive. The latest report has claimed that Everton would rather do a deal at around £10m ($13m), as would fellow suitors West Ham, but Sunderland have no interest in receiving such a low fee.
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Rigg only signed his first professional contract last summer, but he has gone on to become a key player as Sunderland have pushed up the Championship table. They do sit nine points behind third-placed Burnley, however, so they may have to navigate the play-offs if they are to return to the Premier League.
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Were Sunderland to win promotion to the Premier League, one has to imagine that their asking price for Rigg would balloon. Their next fixture comes against West Bromwich Albion this weekend.