West Ham beat competition to sign Man City talent
Fabrizio Romano says West Ham have beaten eight other Premier League clubs to land highly-rated Manchester City starlet Dan Rigge. The midfielder is leaving the Premier League champions this summer.
Rigge, 16, is thought of highly at Manchester City but has opted to leave the club this summer. Clearly, the pathway from academy to senior side at The Etihad is not an easy one – and West Ham have convinced him.
Indeed, David Moyes is keen on bringing through young players. In recent seasons, Ben Johnson, Nathan Holland, Nathan Trott and Mipo Odubeko have got a chance. Sonny Perkins too, but he could leave for Leeds or Villa.
An England Under-16 international, Rigge has turned down the advances of eight other Premier League clubs to join West Ham from Manchester City – according to Italian reporter Romano.
Highly rated youngster Dan Rigge has just signed with West Ham, deal now completed as he’s leaving Man City. 🏴🤝 #WHFC
Rigge was wanted by nine clubs in the Premier League but he’s now joining West Ham.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 9, 2022
West Ham do have limited options in midfield and that might have convinced Rigge to pick the Hammers. Mark Noble has retired, Alex Kral’s loan is unlikely to be made permanent and even Tomas Soucek might go.
Of course, Declan Rice is always being linked with a move away from the club. So, while Rigge will know his chances of first-team football are a year or two away, he will think there is a clear and obvious path into the side.
Especially, with West Ham playing in the Europa Conference League next season. It means the club need to rotate and again, that could hand Rigge a chance. But he needs to establish himself in the 23’s, first.
