North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly going head-to-head for the services of an 18-year-old playmaker making waves at West Ham United.
Daniel Rigge left the Manchester City youth system to join the Irons in the summer of 2022 and has been one of the stars of the Under-18 Premier League this season, registering 11 goals and six assists in 19 appearances.
Rigge largely plays as a number 10, but he is also comfortable on both wings and in a deeper midfield position, and his exceptional form at Under-18 level saw him promoted to the Under-21s side earlier this year.
Back in January, the Englishman scored on his Premier League 2 debut in a 4-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion, and he earned his first start for the Under-21s in Friday's 3-1 defeat to Leicester City.
A former England Under-16 international, Stockport-born Rigge was handed his first professional West Ham contract in October, and those terms are not due to expire until the end of the 2025-26 season.
However, West Ham will be braced for offers from rival clubs in the summer transfer window, as ESPN claims that both Arsenal and Tottenham are showing an interest in signing the 18-year-old.
Rigge hints at long-term West Ham stayThe report claims that Tottenham — whose Under-21 side are top of the Premier League 2 table with 46 points from 19 matches — are currently at the head of the queue, but both Arsenal and Manchester United are lurking in the background.
However, upon signing his first professional deal with West Ham in October, Rigge hinted that he could envisage himself remaining at the London Stadium for the long-term, telling the club's website: «I am very proud.
»It is a huge moment for me and my family because it is every young
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