One Sunderland youngster has sparked transfer interest from top Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Sunderland were always expecting to face a tricky task in retaining all of their top prospects throughout the 2024/25 Championship season, especially with the high levels that the majority of them have been hitting.
The Black Cats have already seen interest drum up for their top stars, including Chris Rigg, who is seen as hot property to a lot of Premier League sides, whilst Jobe Bellingham has also been viewed as a top option by Champions League outfit Borussia Dortmund, who his brother Jude Bellingham played for before his blockbuster move to Real Madrid.
Another player who is reportedly wanted elsewhere is Dennis Cirkin, who fellow Championship side Leeds United are looking to sign.
Several of Sunderland’s players who are performing to the top of their abilities were always going to attract top clubs, however there is one surprise man who has been touted as part of a deal to a Premier League side, alongside Rigg.
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Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson sparks interest from premier League side Nottingham Forest
18-year-old Sunderland winger Tommy Watson has played very little part in the 2024/25 Championship season so far for the Black Cats, however he managed his first senior league start for the club in the 0-0 draw recently away against Preston North End.
Despite his lack of time on the grass, he has still managed to drum up interest from Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest, who are reportedly chasing a deal to sign both him and Rigg, per Alan Nixon on Patreon.
The Black Cats winger, who has experience as part of the England U18s, has fashioned his trade mostly for the Sunderland youth sides, accumulating a total of 30 goals in 67 for the U23s and U18s.
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Regis Le Bris must give Tommy Watson game time to prevent costly transfer move
Whilst it would not be as detrimental to Regis Le Bris’ short-term plans for Watson to move on in comparison to the other key Sunderland names who have drummed up interest, the Black Cats will without a doubt be missing out on several long-term benefits that the 18-year-old can bring to the club.
He has had very little opportunity to prove himself up until this point, however he is still undoubtedly one of the club’s hottest prospects at this time, and losing the winger could lead to Sunderland not reaping the rewards of a player who will without a doubt be a top Championship forward in years to come.
As a result, Le Bris must proactively recognise this, and look to offer Watson more game time, even if it is just to make an impact from off-the-bench, otherwise he could potentially see Nottingham Forest as an alternative location where his development could be heightened.