Sunderland are set to fight to keep one star as concrete interest from a high-flying Premier League side emerges.
The Black Cats were always going to face a difficult task in the January transfer window of keeping all of their top talents.
Since the start of the 2024/25 Championship season, where Regis Le Bris has successfully turned Sunderland into a genuine promotion contender, several of the younger players on Wearside have piqued the interest of Premier League and European clubs.
Midfield pairing Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg for example have received interest from elsewhere, although French boss Le Bris has shown confidence that the pair will remain on Wearside past the January window, as well as team captain Dan Neil, who has been linked to West Ham and Everton this month.
However, new interest has emerged in a top talent in Sunderland’s squad, with Premier League side Brighton returning to the bidding table for one of Le Bris’ top wingers.
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Brighton place initial bid for Sunderland star Tommy Watson as talks begin
Sunderland winger Tommy Watson emerged onto the scene this season, having replaced the injured Romaine Mundle prior to his own spell on the sidelines.
After showing his quality, which was embodied in his performance at home to Stoke City earlier on in the season, where he bagged a brace to send his side to an important win, he has once again attracted Premier League interest from Brighton.
Per Fabrizio Romano on X, the ‘excellent’ Sunderland man has had an ‘initial bid’ made for his services.
It is also reported that Sunderland are ‘reluctant’ to part ways with the 18-year-old, but a high-ball fee could potentially be entertained by Kristjaan Speakman.
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The grass won’t be greener for Tommy Watson as priorities for the winger must be clear on Wearside
Any player at any level will be interested in a move to the Premier League, and that certainly won’t be any different to Watson, who has shown his excellent potential with his short run of games in the Championship prior to his injury.
However, it will be Speakman and Le Bris’ job to remind him of the benefits of staying at Sunderland for the rest of the season, and even into the long-term.
A move to Brighton will likely not see the 18-year-old get any Premier League action due to their quality and number of wide players already, and whilst Watson has immense attributes at his age, a move to the top flight would certainly be too early at this stage in his career.
To be able to represent a top Championship side at his age is a remarkable achievement, and is something that Watson should not think to pass by so quickly.