Manchester United Eye 17-Year-Old Dubbed ‘The Next Jude Bellingham’
United are considering a move for one of the Championship’s most exciting prospects.
In the summer, United’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, suggested that United’s strategy going forward would be to sign emerging talent over established stars.
“I think in a way what I would rather do is try to sign the next Mbappé than spend a fortune trying to buy success,” Ratcliffe told Geraint Jones on his Cycling Club podcast.
“It’s not that clever buying Mbappé, anyone can figure that one out. What’s much more challenging is to find the next Mbappé or [Jude] Bellingham or Roy Keane.”
And it looks like United’s new sporting department are trying to do exactly that, having signed the likes of 18-year-old ‘generational talent’ Leny Yoro, and 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin earlier this year.
Now, United are turning their attention to another emerging talent, who’s been labelled as ‘the next Jude Bellingham’-Sunderland’s Chris Rigg.
Manchester United Target Sunderland's Chris Rigg
According to reports from The Express, United are keen to advance their interest in Sunderland’s Chris Rigg, and could be prepared to pay up to £30 million for the midfielder in January.
Rigg has been making a significant impact in the Championship, playing in all of Sunderland’s first ten matches of this season and netting two goals.
The midfielder has now joined an elite group of young talents, becoming one of the youngest players to reach 30 appearances in the Championship.
The record for the youngest player to do so belongs to Jude Bellingham, who achieved it for Birmingham City at 16 years and 238 days.
He is followed by Ryan Sessegnon for Fulham at 17 years and 100 days. Rigg, just eight days older than Sessegnon, now ranks third on this list. Connor Wickham (Ipswich Town) and Gareth Bale (Southampton) complete the top five.
Given Rigg’s impressive performances, it seems likely that a move to the Premier League is on the horizon. However, Manchester United face stiff competition from Borussia Dortmund, with the Bundesliga club hoping to tempt Rigg to Germany.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Rigg, but it’s widely anticipated that he will make a move in January.