Chris Rigg sent Sunderland transfer warning with 'very careful' message

Sensational Sunderland attacking midfielder Chris Rigg may be a target of Manchester United and Real Madrid but he has been advised not to leave Sunderland until he’s ready.

That warning came from ex-Leeds United and Manchester City defender Danny Mills who says he would not be surprised to see the 17-year-old stay with the Black Cats beyond this season – music to the ears of fans on Wearside.

Ahead of the January transfer window, Sunderland academy graduate Rigg is in demand. As well as being linked to top clubs around Europe he has also sparked interest from Wolves and League One Birmingham City.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Championship preview, pundit and former player Mills gave his verdict on Rigg’s future at Sunderland.

Presenter Hugh Woozencroft said he’d be “stunned” if Rigg stayed with Sunderland beyond this season, to which Mills replied: “I wouldn’t.

“They maybe should [big teams go in for Rigg]. But I think as a young player now, you’ve got to be very, very careful, not to go too soon. He’s young. He’s having a great spell at the moment. But that can change very, very quickly.”

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Mills concluded: “He’s not going to go to a Premier League club and play every week. I would say, ‘okay, but I want to stay on loan for the season’. Surely that has to work for both clubs?”

For Sunderland, selling Rigg next summer and then keeping him on loan could be fruitful but a lot depends on whether they remain in the Championship or have made it to the Premier League as to whether the club should sell him.