SUNDERLAND are ready to give teenage sensation Chris Rigg a pay rise to keep him from Premier League rivals.
Newly-promoted Black Cats have been recruiting several new faces.
But they do not want to lose the local lad, who was a key part of their success last season.
Midfielder Rigg, 18, has had two recent salary hikes and is already in the £20,000-a-week range.
But he could now be getting almost double.
That would put him up with the best-paid kids in the top flight.
Sunderland are handing out huge deals to their new signings so it would be hard for them to offer less to one of their own.
Rigg may have a fight on to make the new-look side but is still expected to feature heavily.
Everton and West Ham have been watching developments.
Meanwhile, top German sides were disappointed he did not play in last month’s Under-19 European Championship.
The new wave of arrivals has left question marks over some of the squad.
Centre-half Dan Ballard, 25, is one who may attract offers if he loses his place in the side.
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