West Ham, Derby County and Leicester City among six clubs eyeing Sunderland play-off hero Tommy Watson | OneFootball

Sunderland Echo understands that former Sunderland play-off hero Tommy Watson is attracting interest from West Bromwich Albion, Leicester City, Hull City, West Ham United and Derby County as Brighton consider his next step. Preston North End could yet re-enter the race.

The 20-year-old and his camp face a key loan decision for 2026-27, with options in League One, the Championship and the Premier League. A Championship move is viewed as the likeliest outcome at this stage.

Brighton remain strong admirers after paying around £10 million last year and handing him a long-term deal. The feeling around the player is that he now needs regular football, and competition at Brighton is fierce and could toughen before the window closes.

Watson made 10 appearances in the first half of 2025-26 and scored on debut off the bench in a 6-0 EFL Cup win over Oxford United. Premier League minutes were scarce, so he joined Millwall on loan in February, reuniting with Alex Neil, and made 12 appearances.

Born in Horden, he rose through Sunderland’s academy, overcame a back injury in 2023-24 and signed a new three-year deal that September. Brighton struck a deal in April 2025, confirmed before his June arrival, and he then signed off by hitting a stoppage-time winner against Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, sealing a 2-1 comeback and promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.

Source: Sunderland Echo