Pundit View: Sunderland to want £70m for two January transfer sales
Carlton Palmer believes that Sunderland should be wanting around £70million for Tommy Watson and Chris Rigg if they were to sell in January.
The duo of Watson and Rigg have attracted interest from Premier League clubs. The former was linked with Nottingham Forest while Rigg has been touted for a move to Manchester United.
Watson has only just broken into the first-team environment after impressing at Under-21 level with Rigg already a first-team regular.
Palmer, speaking to Football League World (11 November) believes that Sunderland should set a high price tag on the pair.
He said: “Sunderland are top of the league, they’re going fantastically well this season at the moment. I can’t believe that they will sell either one of these young stars unless the bank is broken for the pair of them.
“Rigg is the outstanding prospect in the Championship. I think he could comfortably play in the Premier League, that is for sure. But at this moment in time, Sunderland are flying high.
“They sit top on 31 points going into the international break, and they can recoup and go again. Unless somebody comes along and breaks the bank in the region of at least £30-35m for each of those players, for them to even consider offers in Jan, you’re looking at £70m for the pair.”
Sunderland have no need to sell in January
While interest in players is going to be inevitable, Sunderland are in a good position that enables them to keep hold of their star players.
If the Black Cats were to sell in January, it would have to be for a ludicrous sum of money and it’s a very seldom occurrence to see Premier League sides spend big in England’s second division.
However, if teams are interested in Sunderland’s talent. That is what they are going to have to do to obtain their signature.
Rigg has been phenomenal this season and he is destined for the top of football. Having only signed a pro deal in the summer, Sunderland do not need to sell.
The 17-year-old is seemingly enjoying his football at the Stadium of Light and developing with each game. With promotion on the cards, it makes no sense for the player or club to part ways in January.
In other Sunderland news, Leeds United have been linked with a move for Dennis Cirkin although his latest Instagram post suggests he’s going nowhere.
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