Newcastle United have been linked with a swoop for highly-rated Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg.
The youngster is still just 15 but the Magpies are keen to add him to their Academy ranks as they look to improve the overall quality under the guidance of Steve Harper. Rigg has been on United's radar for some time with ex-Sunderland coach Elliott Dickman acutely aware of the Black Cats' best players.
The story has been picked up by the Sun on Sunday who say United are in with a good chance of getting Rigg's signature today. Newcastle have already raided Sunderland's youth ranks in recent times by signing Jay Turner-Cooke who has proved to be a massive hit for Dickman's second string.
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Turner-Cooke has found himself elevated to the first-team ranks no less although Eddie Howe resisted a loan exit for the 18-year-old this summer. Rigg is currently England Under-16 captain and Newcastle would have to pay compensation.
But at 15 he is yet to sign professional terms for the club and won't be able to do so until he is 17. Newcastle know both sides of the coin on this score though having lost Bobby Clark to Liverpool last year.
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