Sunderland face Tommy Watson battle as old teammate attempts to convince move – report
Sunderland could have a fight on their hands to keep Tommy Watson as an old teammate looks to convince him to move, according to Alan Nixon.
The journalist posted on his Patreon page [15 September] to claim that midfielder Josh Robertson, who joined Brighton from the Black Cats in the January transfer window, is attempting to persuade Watson to follow him south.
Brighton saw a bid for Watson rebuffed in the recent window for a fee of £1million, rising to £2.5m, with the 18-year-old starring in the Sunderland Under-21 side and making sporadic first-team appearances.
Sunderland fight to keep Tommy Watson
Watson has been the subject of plenty of interest in recent months, with Sunderland already knocking back Brighton’s seven-figure bid.
The teenage talent has been superb in the club’s academy teams over the past couple of years, signing a professional contract almost immediately after turning 17, much in the way Chris Rigg and Matty Young have also done.
Watson is supremely regarded at the Academy of Light and has tended to be the primary youngster taken along with the first-team squad, often appearing on the bench.
He also travelled with Regis Le Bris’ side to Spain in pre-season rather than Italy with the other U21 players, and scored a superb opening goal against local side Eldense in a 2-1 win.
Brighton have exhibited a fantastic pathway for youngsters to feature in the Premier League, a model the Mackems are trying to emulate – and keeping the likes of local lad Watson in the ranks would be a big step towards just that.
In other Sunderland news, Kristjaan Speakman outlines the club’s January transfer plans.
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