Newcastle United are now closing in on the potential addition of the young midfielder Chris Rigg from their local rivals, Sunderland.

What's the latest?

Dan Ashworth spoke on Tuesday night ahead of their Carabao Cup clash about the struggles Newcastle will suffer this month as a result of having to abide by FFP:

"Eddie, first and foremost, is brilliant to work with and an experienced manager who understands Financial Fair Play and how to build a squad in a sensible way. We'll try and work a couple of windows in advance," he said.

The Toon are yet to add any new faces this month - Garang Kuol aside - despite almost being halfway through the winter transfer window but they have been linked with a move for some young talents.

And insider Graeme Bailey has said on the Talking Transfers podcast that the 15-year-old now looking likely to reject some of the country's biggest clubs to make the move up the A1 to join Newcastle:

(51:00) "He's a fabulous prospect. Again this is a player who Chelsea like but it's a player who Man United like, Man City, he's got his choice of clubs in England.

"But being the avid Geordie he is, we think he's gonna be heading to Newcastle for a very small compensation."

Taking from their rivals

This will feel like a huge blow for the Black Cats who are seemingly set to lose the player who recently became their youngest-ever outfield player after making a cameo appearance in the FA Cup on the weekend.

Rigg has been touted for a big future despite being just 15-yeas-old, with journalist Scott Wilson hailing the midfielder amid the links to a move to Tyneside:

"At the age of just 15 years and 203 days, Rigg is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the English game," Wilson wrote.

Despite being part of Sunderland's mouth set-up from a very early age, it is believed Rigg was brought up in a family full of Newcastle fans.

And it seems as if he is set to disappoint a number of England's biggest clubs in favour of joining his boyhood club with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton all believed to have shown their interest.

Although he is only 15, Rigg has already played four times in the Premier League 2 and three times in the U18 Premier League this season (via Transfermarkt).

And it is apparent he has impressed the Sunderland manager, Tony Mowbray, who has recently been discussing the young talent ahead of their game on the weekend:

“He’s got a wonderful left foot, and he is an incredibly competitive animal. It was really interesting for me to watch him – I have to say that the potential looks enormous," he said.

Not only will Newcastle feel as if they are potentially bringing in a real talent for the future, but they will likely take a lot of satisfaction in stealing the march on a number of their rivals, as well as taking him from their local rivals.