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“No disrespect to Newcastle United”- Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer issues Chris Rigg verdict as Newcastle United claims emerge
“No disrespect, i know some Sunderland fans would see that as a betrayal”- Pundit issues Chris Rigg verdict as Newcastle United claims emerge
Former England international and current pundit Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg is unlikely to join rivals Newcastle United anytime soon, despite reports suggesting the 17-year-old might be open to a move to St James’ Park.
Sunderland have been a surprise package in the 2024/25 Championship season, with newly-appointed head coach Regis Le Bris placing trust in young talent, and Rigg has been a key beneficiary of that approach. The midfield prodigy has impressed with his mature performances, quickly becoming one of Sunderland’s standout players and earning recognition for his potential to have a stellar career at the top level.
Rigg’s impressive form has attracted interest from several top clubs, with recent reports suggesting that he may eventually move to Newcastle, as he is reportedly keen to join a club competing regularly for European football and silverware. Additionally, his father is a Magpies supporter. However, Palmer dismisses the idea of Rigg moving to Newcastle in the near future. Speaking to Football League World, Palmer suggested that Rigg is likely to move to a bigger club than Newcastle if he does leave Sunderland, either in January or at the end of the season.
Palmer commented: “Newcastle are doing well under Eddie Howe, and they’ve been after Chris for a long time, even before he signed his first professional contract at Sunderland. But for me, he is the standout young talent in the Championship. No disrespect to Newcastle, but I think Rigg is destined for a top club in the UK or abroad. Joining Newcastle ‘in the future’ might mean much later on. If he continues progressing as he is, he’s bound for the top of the game.”
Palmer also questioned whether Newcastle could afford a significant transfer fee for Rigg, suggesting that the midfielder could command a price of £50-60 million. He added that a move to a club that is a rival to Sunderland could lead to dissatisfaction among fans, making such a transfer unlikely in the near future.
Rigg’s rise has not gone unnoticed, with clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool previously showing interest. Although he stayed at Sunderland over the summer, reports from HITC have claimed that Rigg turned down offers from Manchester United and Newcastle, while his improved form this season has attracted further attention from European giants like Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
As January approaches, interest in Rigg is expected to intensify, with Manchester United said to be closely monitoring his situation. Other clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, are also believed to have spoken with Rigg’s representatives, while top European sides like Real Madrid and Barcelona remain interested.
Rigg signed a three-year contract with Sunderland this summer, giving the club significant control over any potential transfer. While a move may be inevitable at some point, reports suggest Sunderland will resist offers for Rigg during the January transfer window. As a result, a move to Newcastle seems unlikely, especially considering Rigg’s higher potential and current loyalty to Sunderland.
