“Won’t cut it” - Pundit warns Crystal Palace over Sunderland AFC, Chris Rigg transfer raid | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer discussed Crystal Palace's interest in Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg

Former England international Carlton Palmer believes that Crystal Palace will have to pay more than £20 million to sign Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg after the Premier League side were recently linked with the youngster.

The Sun reported that Palace are eyeing a £20 million deal to sign the 17-year-old Sunderland man who has impressed as Regis Le Bris' side have made an excellent start to the Championship season, currently sitting top of the league after 14 games.

Palace are far from the first Premier League club to have been linked with Rigg in recent times, with sides like Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly keen, while even Real Madrid have been mentioned as possible suitors.

The 17-year-old has become a regular starter in the Championship this season, and it's easy to see why some of the biggest clubs in the world are interested in acquiring his services, with Sunderland facing a battle on their hands to keep him at the club.

However, Palmer believes that the mooted £20million fee Palace are willing to pay won't be enough to convince Sunderland to let their prized asset leave the club.

Carlton Palmer on Crystal Palace's interest in Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg

Ex-Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Palmer believes that it will take a lot of money for Sunderland to let Rigg leave the club as they battle for Premier League promotion, and has compared the 17-year-old's mercurial talent to a legend of the English game.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said: "Crystal Palace, amongst other Premier League clubs, are looking at Sunderland’s teenage sensation, Chris Rigg.

"Crystal Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman is well-known for looking at good youngsters. We know they signed Adam Wharton from Blackburn for £18 million and his signing has turned out to be a sensation.

"Chris Rigg is having a fantastic season for Sunderland and listen, like I’ve said before, I think it’s only a matter of time before a Premier League club snaps him up. I think he’s the best young talent in the Championship, but £20 million won’t get him out of Sunderland.

“They will have to break the bank to get him, Sunderland won’t sell him for £20 million, they are top of the league and looking to get back to the Premier League, so if they’re going to sell Chris Rigg it will be for a lot more than £20 million.

“If he continues in the same form, and I don’t make this too fine a point, the last player to come out of that neck of the woods with that sort of talent was Paul Gascoigne, this boy is in that class, so Sunderland are not going to sell him on the cheap.

“They have a chance of getting back to the Premier League, they’re at the top of the table, and they’re going great guns at the moment, so if they’re going to sell him in January they’ll sell him for bigger money than that and hopefully get him on loan until the end of the season.

“I can understand why Crystal Palace are looking at him, they’ll definitely look to make an offer for him in the January transfer window as other clubs will do, but £20million won’t cut it for Chris Rigg, that is for sure.”

Keeping Chris Rigg in January is pivotal to Sunderland's promotion hopes

On early evidence, Rigg could become a Premier League and international star in the future, and he's already proven to be an excellent player at Championship level.

He's become a regular starter in Le Bris' team, starting 12 out of a possible 14 Championship games this season, and he's found the back of the net on three occasions.

Sunderland are top of the league and could realistically win promotion, so Rigg may be better off seeing out the rest of the season at the Stadium of Light to see whether they reach the top-flight rather than moving in January and risk sitting on the bench somewhere.

If the Black Cats don't win promotion they'll be resigned to losing him in the near future, but he may be better served seeing out the rest of the season with Sunderland instead of leaving in January.

Rigg is pivotal to the club's promotion hopes, and everyone at the club will hope a move fails to materialise in January.