Jadon Sancho’s permanent move to Chelsea this summer will inject some much-needed cash into Manchester United’s transfer budget.
Manchester United’s £73m move for Jadon Sancho really didn’t work out as planned. After a terrible run of form and a public fall-out with Erik ten Hag, a move away was the best option for all parties.
Chelsea signed Sancho on loan this summer after he returned from a temporary spell at former club Borussia Dortmund.
As part of that deal, Chelsea will pay £23m to sign Sancho permanently in the summer as part of an obligatory buy clause. Sancho has been poor at Chelsea, but the Blues have no choice but to sign him.
United have struggled to stay within the Profit and Sustainability Rules in recent windows, with United only signing Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu in the latest window due to a lack of spending power.
The budget should improve in the summer after another cautious window, and United have already found a brilliant way to spend the Jadon Sancho money.
Man United target Chris Rigg now available for £25m
There is no doubt that a striker will be a top priority for United in the summer after failing to land one over the winter.
Ruben Amorim has been left with an attacking department of four players – Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho. Hardly enough to fire United back to the top end of the table.
But once a new striker is secured, a central midfielder will be high on the priority list with Christian Eriksen tipped to retire and Casemiro likely to leave.
Ineos are planning to bid for Chris Rigg – a 17-year-old talent who is having a superb season with Sunderland in the Championship.
Rigg is a perfect Eriksen replacement at United, and CaughtOffside report he is now available for as little as £25m in the summer. That means Sancho’s fee in the summer would almost cover the entirety of his asking price.
Why Man United must sign Chris Rigg this summer
Rigg is the “best player in the Championship” according to Carlton Palmer, and he has already been compared to two legendary United midfielders.
Ahead of a potential summer move, United sent scouts to watch the young midfielder in action and Rigg was hailed as “mesmerising” after his performance against Middlesbrough at the start of the season.
Despite his age, the Sunderland star has shown plenty of tenacity in the heart of midfield, leading to Rigg being compared to Roy Keane.
READ MORE: Midfielder Erik ten Hag sold claims he’s better than £25m target Ruben Amorim wants to buy
That is not the only legendary United star he has been likened to either, with Rigg tipped to be the ‘next Bryan Robson’ after his incredible breakthrough season with the Black Cats.
At just 17 years of age, Chris Rigg has already made 29 appearances for Sunderland this season with over 2,000 minutes played across all competitions.
He fits the transfer strategy employed by Ineos of signing young, upcoming talent, and after missing out on Jude Bellingham during his Birmingham City days, United will live to regret it if they miss out on Rigg too.
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