Credit: Imago / Sunderland YouTube channel
Credit: Imago / Sunderland YouTube channel
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West Ham United send scouts to watch Chris Rigg as Sunderland duo eyed

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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West Ham scouts were present at Sunderland's 1-1 draw with Millwall on Saturday to watch Chris Rigg and Tom Watson, according to TBR Football.

The online source reported [25 November] that the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Crystal Palace sent scouts to the Den on 23 November, with the Hammers also keeping an eye on Tom Watson.

Having been promoted from the Black Cats' academy, the 18-year-old winger has been handed two Championship starts this season as he continues to impress at Under-21 level.

He has notched five goals and four assists in five Premier League 2 matches this term, with Spurs and Palace taking notice of the youngster too.

West Ham United take interest in Sunderland duo Chris Rigg and Tom Watson

Battling the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal for these talented youngsters would certainly send a message out to the other Premier League teams this summer.

It is very clear that Rigg already has the potential to be a superstar, having started 14 of the Black Cats' 16 Championship matches to date and boasting three goals in that time.

He caught the attention of multiple teams last term after notching two goals in 21 league appearances and has only improved since then, becoming an important figure in Sunderland's title charge.

Watson, on the other hand, is a much lesser-known talent in the Championship, having only made nine senior appearances for the Black Cats but he looks to have cemented a spot in the first team.

Tim Steidten
West Ham director Tim Steidten has led the club's recruitment

The Hammers' transfer hopes will likely rely on whether Regis Le Bris can lead Sunderland to Premier League promotion, given they will want to keep as many stars as possible.

If they miss out on promotion, however, the Hammers will need to pounce quickly, especially given the amount of interest in the players.

In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling was baffled by what a Hammers fan said before the Newcastle United clash.

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