West Brom transfer concern issued over Brighton winger - he 'hasn't pulled up many trees' | OneFootball

FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has commented on Albion’s rumoured interest in winger Tommy Watson.

West Brom will be hopeful of a much more positive 2026-27 campaign after securing their Championship safety under James Morrison last term.

And in an attempt to get back into the promotion mix, the Black Country outfit have made early movements in the summer transfer window, securing three new signings to bolster the squad.

The Baggies kicked off their spending with the addition of forward Barney Stewart from Falkirk, then announcing the arrival of Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington, although the former Reds man will originally be placed into Albion’s U21’s setup for development.

Albion’s third and latest signing is of exciting Chelsea youngster Jimmy-Jay Morgan.

The England U20 international, like Stewart, has penned a four-year contract at The Hawthorns, with Albion spending an up-front fee of £1.3m, while add-ons could take it to as high as £4m.

However, the work mustn’t stop there, with the Black Country outfit still requiring a lot more quality additions that can improve each department, with controlling shareholder Shilen Patel echoing that sentiment by confirming in an open letter to supporters that their business is far from finished.

Albion’s next port of call could well be adding depth out wide, with the Baggies linked with a move for Brighton winger Tommy Watson this summer.

The Baggies are in need of additions on the flanks, particularly after Jed Wallace departed The Hawthorns on a free transfer, while Mikey Johnston is being eased back into pre-season training following an ankle fracture he suffered towards the back end of last season.

With a big fight on Albion’s hands to land Watson this summer, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit has commented on the speculation, revealing whether he thinks the former Sunderland man would be a good fit at The Hawthorns.

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess is unsure whether Albion can offer Tommy Watson the ‘consistent minutes’ he needs at this stage of his career, fearing the 20-year-old may only be a back up option for the likes of Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price in James Morrison’s setup.

Callum believes The Hawthorns may not be the right place for Watson to play his football this coming term, with more frequent opportunities available at other interested clubs.

Callum told FLW: “What Watson needs now is somewhere where he’s getting consistent minutes.

“He broke through at Sunderland before moving to Brighton for big money, but has not played consistently there.

“He scored the goal that sent them (Sunderland) to the Premier League, then, of course, had an off season at Brighton, playing cup games before moving to Millwall in January last season, but he didn’t pull up many trees for them.

“I just think that with Mikey Johnston still here, Isaac Price playing on one of the sides of a 4-4-2, Albion do need wingers, but will Watson get the minutes he needs? I’m not sure.”

While Tommy Watson is still viewed as an exciting young player with lots of potential, West Brom may feel that bringing him to The Hawthorns will be too much of a gamble given his downwards spiral since leaving Sunderland.

Watson was the talk of Wearside after netting the winning goal in the 2024-25 play-off final to get Sunderland back to the Premier League, with many thinking he would rise to the challenge of the top-flight after agreeing to move to Brighton.

But opportunities have since been sparse at the Amex Stadium, leading to him being loaned out to Millwall for the second half of last season, but even back in the second tier, his stint at the Den was nothing short of underwhelming, providing just one attacking contribution from 12 games.

And after losing the likes of Jed Wallace, the Baggies would essentially be replacing their former club captain with another player who has failed to produce the goods on a consistent basis, which could see the Baggies sucked back down into another relegation battle under James Morrison.

As well as his poor performances of late, there’s no guarantee Watson would walk into the Albion side ahead of the likes of Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston, so it doesn’t seem an appealing move to make from Watson’s perspective, particularly as his main goal at the moment is to get regular game time to turn his career around.

By hook or by crook, the Baggies have to raise the quality levels in the final third if they are to taste any success in the near future, so it doesn’t appear to be the right move for a player who can’t guarantee a tally of goals and assists needed for a promotion-contending side.

This is a deal that doesn’t suit any party, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Watson snub Albion and pursue a move that will see him get into a team week in, week out.