Agree with everything apart from the last sentence, think the club wll just be trying to maximise whatever deal they can, won't be difficult for them in principal, though.
It will be difficult if we're still in this league. You can starve off aspirations of players playing for bigger clubs if we are to go up, but if they've showcased their abilities in this league and the big clubs come calling then it becomes hard to keep the player happy.
The kind of money offered for the likes of Rigg or Jobe if we're still in the championship will see the club sell (in my opinion).
There's going to be some big negotiations this coming summer with the likes of Cirkin and one or two others who've been at the club a while. They may look for a better deal elsewhere if they can't get it here.
Fingers crossed we can gain promotion, and at least ease some of the problems that another season in the championship would likely cause.
I think they're trying to get to that level with Sunderland AFC, unless I'm mistaken.
Just to counter your ideas that you think you know how our young players think / or that they all want to leave at the first opportunity.
I don't claim to know what they think, but having watched players come and go in football over the years. Players rarely get emotionally involved in clubs anymore. Yes, they may love playing here, but when the bigger clubs come calling, it's just a natural progression for any professional to want to play at the top level. Not all players get the opportunity.
I'm sure the lads would love to gain promotion with the club, that would be the perfect outcome for the players and us fans, but let's be realistic for a minute. If the clubs linked come in for the likes of Rigg in the summer and we are still in The Championship, it wouldn't really be a surprise to see him go. He'd further his career, and the club would get big money.