Sunderland's Chris Rigg 'bound for top club' as Newcastle United told why it won't be them

Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg is bound for a 'top club in the UK or Europe' rather than Newcastle United, according to Carlton Palmer.

The England youth international is reportedly the interest of many clubs, including the likes of Newcastle and Manchester United. However, it is believed that a big fee will be required in order to lure the midfielder away from the Stadium of Light.

Rigg made his debut for Sunderland against Blackpool in January 2023 and has gone on to become an important part of the first-team. He has since made 41 appearances for the Black Cats and scored six goals.

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Palmer, who made 18 appearances for England throughout his career, thinks that Rigg would be a great signing for Newcastle.. While that may be the case, the former West Brom, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United player sees the teenager making the move to one of Europe's elite clubs and he doesn't consider The Mags in that bracket.

“I know some Sunderland fans would see that as a betrayal, but Newcastle are going really well under Eddie Howe," Palmer told Football League World. "He’s done a fantastic job. Newcastle have been chasing Chris Rigg for a long time. They were interested in getting him before he signed his first professional contract at Sunderland.

“For me, he is the outstanding youngster in the Championship. No disrespect to Newcastle United, but Chris Rigg will be bound for a top club either in the UK or in Europe."

Ex-striker Palmer is also of the opinion of that the in-demand 17-year-old is only likely to make the short move to Newcastle 'way down the line in the future' towards the end of his career, with his family said to be Newcastle fans.

“I think he’s destined for the top of the game, if he continues to make the progress and the strides that he is doing," Palmer added. "You never know, if Newcastle come up with the money, but have they got that type of money to come up with now? 50 or 60 million pounds for a player?

“So, (playing for Newcastle) 'in the future' could mean way, way down the line in the future. He’d certainly go straight into the first team, and the development would go on. When you play for any club, and then go to a club that are their rivals, then of course the supporters aren’t going to be happy - I don’t see that happening with Rigg in the near future.”