Dan Ashworth can get one over Newcastle with Man United 'new Bellingham' transfer masterstroke

Sunderland have a teenage midfielder in their ranks who is already being labelled the best talent to come out of the Championship since Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham.

Incredibly, it is not Jude's brother, Jobe, who is also impressing at the Stadium of Light, but rather 17-year-old midfield sensation Chris Rigg. The England youth international has taken the division by storm this season to help propel the Black Cats into the automatic promotion places after the opening five games of the season.

His winning goal in the 1-0 Wear-Tees derby success over Middlesbrough on Saturday went viral as he skipped beyond Boro goalkeeper Seny Dieng before backheeling the ball into the net to send the Stadium of Light into raptures.

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Rigg made his first team debut as a 15-year-old and Sunderland have found it difficult to conceal the incredible talent they have on their hands. Some of European football's biggest clubs are reportedly keeping tabs on his progress and the Black Cats have already faced a battle to tie his future to the club.

The likes of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are said to be monitoring his progress and Sunderland also had to stave off fierce interest from their local rivals, Newcastle, the club Rigg's family are supporters of. Rigg signed a three-year deal in the summer, his first professional contract, which was seen as a huge coup for the Black Cats, but the likelihood of him seeing out that contract looks slim if he continues on his current trajectory.

Reports on Sunday have again linked Manchester United with a move for the