The transfer window may be firmly shut, but Brighton have pulled off a big deal anyway, with Tommy Watson set to join the Premier League side in the summer.
Sunderland held firm in the January window to keep Tommy Watson despite Brighton’s best efforts, with an offer thought to be worth around £13m rejected at the time.
However, with Watson avoiding signing a new contract, it seems the Black Cats have bitten the bullet and given up fight to retain one of their top young talents.
But, a £10m transfer has now been agreed for Watson, and Sunderland fans don’t seem too fussed about losing the youngster, all things considered.
Brighton fans think Tommy Watson could replace Kaoru Mitoma
In fact, we’d go as far as saying that Sunderland got a good price for Watson, and Kristjaan Speakman deserves credit for negotiating the transfer.
But, it’s worth remembering Watson is a very exciting young talent, and Brighton fans on the whole are relishing the thought of him joining their team.
When Brighton shared the news on social media, fans offered their thoughts and reactions to the news, with the general consensus being that the Seagulls had bagged a good transfer.
One fan wrote, “Now THIS is business,” while another asked, “Can he start immediately?”
Brighton obviously have great players already, but one, Kaoru Mitoma, is rumoured to be on his way in the summer, prompting one supporter to write: “Great work Brighton, Mitoma’s replacement.”
Other fans were pleasantly surprised, posting, “Brighton doing Brighton things! Great deal!” and “Signing out of nowhere.”
However, one supporter hinted we may see Watson going out on loan next season, writing, “Good signing. He might want to brush up on his French (or Dutch, I’m not exactly sure the predominant language in Brussels),” in reference to Brighton’s sister club, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
- READ MORE: Three winners and three losers in Sunderland winger Tommy Watson’s £10m transfer to Brighton
Tommy Watson will probably have to be patient at Brighton
It’s that last point there that must surely be playing on Watson’s mind ahead of the switch to Brighton.
While he and Jack Clarke are different players, they are similar enough to make comparisons to the latter’s ill-fated move to Ipswich Town last summer.
That turned out to be a ‘strange’ move for Clarke, and he has really struggled to make his mark in the Premier League this season.
Watson is younger and more raw than Clarke, and it’s likely he will have to bide his time at Brighton to get a meaningful opportunity.
Still, Brighton are a great club when it comes to nurturing young talent and they usually get it spot on in the transfer market. We know how special Tommy Watson is, on his day, and we’re sure he will be a big success in the top flight, be it next season or in the more distant future.