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Hendrie has urged Rigg to join the Toffees over the Red Devils this summer

Former footballer and current EFL pundit Lee Hendrie has urged Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg to join Everton over Manchester United this summer, amid reports linking his services to both clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

17-year-old Rigg plays well beyond his years and has been a key part of the Black Cats' promotion push so far this term. He looks destined to have a stellar career at the top level in the future, with numerous big clubs reportedly interested in making him theirs in the coming months.

Regis Le Bris has made the central midfielder one of his main men this season as the Black Cats' focus on promoting young, emerging players, and the race for his services is definitely set to heat up as the transfer window beckons.

Everton and Manchester United are both believed to be plotting a move for his services, but the Toffees have been tipped to beat the Red Devils in the race to land him this summer.

Lee Hendrie offers Chris Rigg summer transfer verdict - Everton are a 'much better fit' than United

A central midfielder by trade, Rigg joined Sunderland's academy set-up while he was still in primary school, and his rapid ascent to the senior side saw him begin to train with the first-team when he was just 15-years-old. He became the second-youngest player in the club's history when he made his senior debut in January 2023.

The 17-year-old has displayed his impressive versatility throughout this term under French boss Le Bris, with 42 appearances in all competitions while playing in central midfield, attacking midfield, out wide, and even as a centre-forward.

He has also notched four goals and one assist so far, with Sunderland set to take part in the Championship play-offs in a few weeks' time for a place in the Premier League next season.

The Black Cats will likely need to clinch that place in the top-flight to have a real chance of keeping Rigg at the club this summer. With Everton and United both widely linked, ex-professional player and current EFL pundit Lee Hendrie believes that the Toffees would be the better club for him to continue his development if he were to depart the Stadium of Light soon.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “(Rigg is) a fantastic young talent. I’ve seen what he’s been able to do in the Championship with Sunderland, you know, scoring goals, creativity, he’s young…he’s got everything. Ticks all the boxes.

“And, I’ve been impressed since David Moyes has gone into Everton. I think that would be a club that would probably suit Rigg more so.

“I think Manchester United are on an obvious rebuild, and it just comes with a massive pressure.

“I think if he’s asked between the two, and has the option, he probably would choose United, but I think Everton would be a much better fit for him under Moyes.

“What they’re trying to build there with the fantastic new stadium…there’s lots of good things going on there and obviously they’ve survived that relegation scare that they had. Moyes seems to be the main reason for that.

“I think Rigg would be a good fit for Everton, I really do, but, we all know that if it is a choice between Manchester United and Everton, he would probably choose United. I think Everton would be the better fit.”

Rigg has been linked with numerous clubs but may still stay at Sunderland this summer

Numerous reports have emerged over this season about Rigg's potential destination this summer, and a Wearside exit feels inevitable, especially if Sunderland are unable to seal promotion back to the top-flight through the play-offs over the next month.

iNews have recently claimed that Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool have sent scouts to watch him extensively this season ahead of a potential summer swoop, while the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked.

Newcastle United are also believed to hold a long-standing interest in the 17-year-old, but it remains to be seen if Sunderland would be happy to sell one of their best assets to their fierce Tyneside rivals.

It is not only English clubs that are tracking Rigg as a possible signing in the upcoming transfer window, though, and he may well seek a move abroad to follow in the footsteps of numerous young players from these shores that have gone on to impress on the continent. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig have all been linked with interest in his services, so it is clear just how rated he is across Europe.

Regardless of the reported interest, the decision to leave Sunderland will ultimately be on Rigg this summer, and he may well feel like he has unfinished business at his boyhood club, particularly if they are back in the Premier League for next season after eight long years away.