‘West Ham to submit formal Chris Rigg offer after transfer mission’. West Ham are preparing a formal offer to sign Sunderland sensation Chris Rigg after keeping a close eye on his progress, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked in senior scouting positions at both West Ham and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that scouts have been present at the Stadium of Light “almost every week”.
As a result, Sunderland will find it difficult to keep hold of the 17-year-old beyond the end of the season as a number of clubs are lining up offers.
Regis le Bris’ side have dropped to fourth in the Championship, nine points away from the automatic promotion places, and concerns have risen as a result.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Tottenham and Man United have been watching Rigg, alongside scouts from Crystal Palace.
However, West Ham are currently believed to be leading the race and have been tipped as an ideal move for Rigg to step up into the Premier League.
West Ham close in on Chris Rigg after Tottenham latest. Football Insider revealed on 30 March that Tottenham haven’t yet made an offer Rigg and have fallen behind the likes of West Ham and Everton for his signature.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Hammers are at the front of the queue to sign the 17-year-old. “West Ham would be a great move for Rigg,” he told Football Insider.
“From what I hear, I think they’re at the front of the queue for him at the moment.
“But what worries me about Sunderland is they’ve got all these promising players, but it’s going to be difficult for them to keep hold of them.
“They want to get promoted to the Premier League, but they keep losing games you don’t expect.
“Then you’ve got to ask questions about whether that’s down to these young players or just the lack of experience in the side.
“All of the interested clubs, including West Ham, have had scouts watching him almost every week.
“They’ll know everything about him, the positives and the negatives, and then from there they’ll make the decision. “They’ve been impressed, and I hear they’re one of the clubs preparing to make a formal offer in the summer – but they won’t be alone.”
Graham Potter is putting transfer plans in place at West Ham. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media) Graham Potter plots Jonathan David swoop
Graham Potter is expected to prioritise the addition of a new striker this summer, with Lille forward Jonathan David emerging as one of their top options.
Brown told Football Insider on 22 March that West Ham will rival Newcastle to sign David when his Lille contract expires in June.
The 25-year-old’s agent has been speaking to the club’s directors about a move amid growing interest from clubs both in the Premier League and abroad. This comes after concerns about the futures of Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug, while Danny Ings is likely to leave West Ham upon the expiry of his contract.
