Crystal Palace scouts closely watching Sunderland star – sources
Crystal Palace have had scouts in attendance at a number of Sunderland games this season to watch Chris Rigg, sources have told Football Insider.
The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in England at the moment and has become a regular fixture in the Black Cats’ side.
Chelsea and Real Madrid are also said to have taken an interest in his progress, with his performances catching the eye of elite clubs across Europe.
Despite this, Palace are the latest side to show an interest in signing the Sunderland gem and are prepared to rival top sides for his signature.
The Eagles have a proven track record of developing young talent from the Championship into stars, having done so with Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Michael Olise in recent years.
However, it is unlikely a deal will be reached in January, and any move is set to hinge on whether Sunderland achieve promotion this season.
Crystal Palace plotting move to sign Sunderland’s Chris Rigg
Regis Le Bris has led his side to the top of the Championship, level on points with Sheffield United, and they are aiming to make it back to the Premier League.
Rigg has been a key part of that side, appearing in 14 of their 15 league games so far this season and starting all but one.
This has attracted the watchful eyes of multiple elite clubs across the continent, with interest in his signature rocketing as a result of those displays.
However, Palace are confident that their track record of signing players from the Championship will help their efforts to land his signature.
Eze, Wharton and Olise have all gone on to represent their countries based on their displays for the Eagles, while Marc Guehi, signed from Chelsea, had spent the majority of his senior career on loan at Swansea before joining Palace.
Following the sale of Olise to Bayern Munich, Palace have also proved they can provide a platform for players to increase their profiles before earning big moves elsewhere.
As a result, there is a feeling that Rigg could be tempted to move to Selhurst Park if Sunderland miss out on promotion, rather than making the immediate leap to the top.
In other news, Crystal Palace’s stance on sacking Oliver Glasner has been revealed.
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