Liverpool ready to pay £25m for English WONDERKID

Liverpool have been open about the fact that their squad is in transition despite also being the best team in the world right now.

They have multiple moving parts that could change the face of the team entirely by the start of next season. Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson are all names that could be replaced for various reasons.

Liverpool transfer latest: Zubimendi twist as Liverpool open talks for €60m midfielder

Part of Liverpool’s strategy that has kept the team so competitive over the past decade is in rarely signing players over the age of 25 unless the circumstance is exceptional.

Because of this it’s always worth taking Liverpool’s interest in young players seriously. And, in this scenario, this isn’t the first time this rumour has reared its head.

According to a new report by CaughtOffside, Liverpool are one of a number of teams interested in Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.

The 17-year old has proved the old adage of ‘if you’re good enough you’re old enough’ this season, becoming a starting mainstay in Sunderland’s side as they look to push for automatic promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

Rigg has occupied a hybrid attacking-central midfield role alongside Jobe Bellingham - younger brother of once Liverpool-linked star Jude - and new signing from Roma, Enzo Le Fee.

EXCLUSIVE: High profile exits on the cards in summer overhaul

Rigg has contributed four goals and an assist in 27 league games this season, with Sunderland sitting fourth in the league at time of writing, five points off the automatic promotion places.

But Liverpool face tough competition for his signature, as a cadre of clubs are sniffing around too - Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Brighton domestically, as well as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund overseas.

And whilst Sunderland want to do everything they can to retain Rigg, a newly-stated £25million price tag would be impossible to turn down if it was matched and the team fail to earn promotion this season.

Rigg would be an excellent signing for Arne Slot’s side. He would provide ready midfield depth as well as a youthful creativity, as Slot moulds him into the exact type of midfielder he desires.

READ MORE: Special meeting confirmed between Michael Edwards and £30m winger

Liverpool should try everything they can to pull this deal off. Players like Rigg don’t come around often and the Reds have learnt their lesson from losing out on a then-17 year old Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund back in 2020.

Liverpool FC news recap: Summer plans revealed as Liverpool tease dream arrival