Sunderland academy graduates Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson are both on the radar of Nottingham Forest, according to reporter Alan Nixon.
Sunderland are renowned for their production of academy players, with plenty of starlets going on to hold down regular senior roles on Wearside.
The likes of Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil have become mainstays over the past couple of years.
However, few starlets in the country have been able to match the levels of teenage midfielder Chris Rigg this season. The 17-year-old broke into the side last campaign and has started regularly under Regis Le Bris, chipping in with three goals in 13 Championship games.
He’s not the only eye-catching Sunderland starlet on the up either, with winger Tommy Watson earning his first league start against Preston North End earlier this week.
Now, reporter Alan Nixon has said on his Patreon that the Black Cats prospects are both on the radar at Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
They’re latecomers in the Rigg pursuit, but Watson has been a player admired at the City Ground for ‘a couple of seasons’, Nixon reports. The latter also has interest from Brighton and Crystal Palace.
In fact, reports said in the summer that the Seagulls saw a handful of bids rejected for Watson.
Big futures ahead
There’s no hiding that Rigg and Watson are players with huge futures ahead of them, likely ones that see them play beyond the level of Sunderland in the years to come.
Midfielder Rigg is already starring at senior level at just 17 and has become a key component in this Regis Le Bris side. As such, there have been top European clubs linked with him, so Nottingham Forest might find it hard to bring someone of his ilk in.
Watson isn’t quite on that level yet, but his fantastic performances for the U21s have seen him land deserved chances in the first-team himself.
He’s been touted as a future Jack Clarke given his ability to cut in from the left onto his stronger right foot, often unleashing a shot or setting up one of his attacking teammates.
Resisting bids
Such is the calibre of these Sunderland starlets, interest is inevitable and it seems likely that bids will follow.
However, especially in the case of Rigg, the club must do what they can to resist tempting offers and keep him onboard until next summer at least.
He will have a key part to play in Regis Le Bris’ side bid for promotion to the Premier League despite his tender years and could prove a tough player to replace if they cash in when the January transfer window comes around.
Rigg’s value is only going to rise too, so by resisting interest at this stage, they could earn a huge transfer windfall further down the line.
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