Sunderland resigned to Tommy Watson exit amid new Brighton update
Sunderland face pressure in their push for promotion with clubs circling around their best talents ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Black Cats are aiming to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, and are set to finish in the Championship playoff spots.
Young starlets such as Chris Rigg are already attracting transfer interest, with promotion key to keeping them at the club. Should Sunderland fail to go up, Rigg will likely leave for a Premier League side.
The same may also apply to Tommy Watson, with Brighton and Hove Albion still interested in the talented forward.
Brighton retain interest in Sunderland starlet Tommy Watson
Watson was the subject of a transfer bid from Brighton in the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialise for the 18-year-old.
However, the Seagulls are still interested in signing the winger, and they will make another move for Watson in the summer.
| Stat | Tommy Watson |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Starts | 7 |
| Goals | 2 |
The Sunday Mirror (page 70, March 23) have now reported that Sunderland are resigned to losing Watson this summer, and should they fail to win promotion, they will cash in on the teenager.
Watson’s contract at the Stadium of Light runs until 2026, meaning they will need to tie him down to fresh terms or entertain a sale in the summer, and failure to win promotion would almost certainly see him depart.
Tommy Watson likely to leave Sunderland
Unfortunately for Regis Le Bris, Watson appears set to depart even if Sunderland are promoted, and a move to Brighton is on the cards.
The teenager has enjoyed a strong debut campaign at senior level, scoring twice in 13 games, and has long been mooted as a top prospect.
Watson’s output for the under-23 side was sensational, netting 12 goals and assisting 11 times in 29 appearances, and with more first-team exposure, he could develop into a Premier League-level attacker.
If Sunderland can maximise the fee they receive for Watson, it would soften the blow of losing him, but it remains to be seen whether an offer greater than the £13m bid they received in January will be made.