Newcastle United could raid Sunderland with controversial £25m move for midfielder

Newcastle United could raid Sunderland with controversial £25m move for midfielder

Newcastle United plans to make a contentious bid for a Sunderland player this summer. The last Tyne-Wear derby was won 3-0 by Newcastle United in the FA Cup, thanks to Alexander Isak’s brace and Daniel Ballard’s own goal. The two North East clubs have taken very different routes in recent years. While Sunderland hopes to return to the Premier League while finishing fourth in the Championship, Newcastle is aiming to return to the Champions League.

Following a quiet January window, Newcastle are likely to spend heavily in the summer, and with Sean Longstaff’s future unknown, a central midfielder will be on the shopping list. Newcastle could add to their neighbours’ suffering, with rumors claiming they will want to sign Sunderland’s outstanding player.

Newcastle United interested in signing Sunderland’s Chris Rigg

Newcastle United’s interest in Chris Rigg began in 2023, when the adolescent midfielder was making his debut at the Stadium of Light. Rigg’s family is said to be Newcastle fans, and the Magpies have shown a strong interest in the young midfield player.

Newcastle scouts were deployed to watch Rigg on a regular basis last year, and several clubs are interested in signing the 17-year-old this summer. Sunderland were confident in keeping Rigg, but that could alter in a few months.