Exclusive: "I don’t believe" - Pundit laughs off Birmingham City interest in Sunderland ace Chris Rigg | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer does not expect Sunderland's Chris Rigg to join Birmingham City.

Carlton Palmer believes Birmingham City have little chance of signing Chris Rigg after they were linked with a surprise move for the Sunderland midfielder.

The 17-year-old is very highly-rated at the Stadium of Light, and he has already made over 30 appearances for the club despite his very slender age.

Rigg has featured regularly under Regis Le Bris this season, with his performances key to helping Sunderland sit second in the Championship at this early stage, and the undoubted high point for the teenager came as he scored with a brilliant backheel in the win over Middlesbrough.

Birmingham City join European-wide transfer battle for Chris Rigg

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Rigg’s form has attracted attention from some top clubs, with Man Utd and Liverpool among those believed to be monitoring the England youth international, and Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on the talented teen.

However, one rumour that did shock fans came this weekend, as The Sun claimed that Birmingham are weighing up a January move for Rigg.

The update states the ambitious League One leaders could offer in excess of £10 million to sign Rigg, as the owners look to continue to improve the Blues squad as they push for a return to the Championship.

Carlton Palmer insists Chris Rigg is heading to the top and Birmingham City move won't happen

Yet, it’s fair to say that former England international Palmer doesn’t expect Rigg to end up at St. Andrew’s, as he told FLW that the youngster is only likely to leave Sunderland for an elite club in the country.

“I think Birmingham are well off the mark," Palmer said when speaking exclusively to Football League World.

"I don’t think £10m would even get close to signing him - I think bigger clubs have been interested and they would be prepared to pay more than that.

“I would think that if anything was to happen with Rigg, you would be looking at the £20m mark.

"Also, why would Rigg want to drop down to League One? Yes, Birmingham are favourites to get promotion, but Sunderland are second in the table, and look like they could push on and have a good go at getting back into the Premier League.

“So, I don’t think it’s a realistic offer from Birmingham. It’s an audacious statement from Birmingham, and it shows what the club are intending to do, but Sunderland have high hopes this season as they push to get promoted.

“He will have interest from Premier League and European clubs, so I doubt Rigg would want to drop down, so, as I said, it’s a non-starter.

“Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Man City have all been keeping tabs on the 17-year-old, who is one of the hottest properties in English football, so I don’t believe he will end up at Birmingham.

"If he moves from Sunderland, he will join one of the Premier League’s top clubs.”

Chris Rigg set for a big future in the game following Sunderland exploits

You should never rule anything out in football, but if Rigg left Sunderland for Birmingham in January, it would be one of the most surprising transfers in English football in recent memory.

We know that Blues have brilliant owners in place who are prepared to put their money where their mouth is in order to help the club. And, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Birmingham were back in the Premier League in a few years' time.

But, the reality is that, right now, moving to Birmingham from Sunderland would be a step down.

As Palmer says, Rigg is going to be on the radar of the top clubs in the country, and if he does leave the Wearside outfit in the next few windows, you would expect him to join a club that is established in the top-flight.

For now though, Sunderland is a great club for the youngster to be at, and he will be delighted at how this season is playing out so far.

So, this isn’t one that will worry the fans too much, and whilst most accept the day will come when Rigg does depart, you would expect him to command a much bigger fee than £10m, and for him to join a club that is playing in Europe.