West Ham, Derby and Leicester among six clubs keen on Sunderland play-off hero Tommy Watson | OneFootball

Tommy Watson is attracting wide interest as Brighton weigh a key loan for the winger this summer, with the Championship currently seen as his most likely destination.

According to Sunderland Echo, West Bromwich Albion, Leicester City, Hull City, West Ham United and Derby County have registered interest in the 20-year-old, and Preston North End could yet rejoin the race after tracking him before his February move to Millwall.

Brighton signed him from Sunderland for around £10million last year and handed a long-term deal, but the next stage is seen as being about regular minutes.

He made 10 appearances in the first half of 2025-26 and scored on debut in a 6-0 EFL Cup win over Oxford United. Top-flight chances were limited, so he joined Millwall on loan in February under former Sunderland head coach Alex Neil, making 12 outings.

Horden-born, he rose through Sunderland’s academy and debuted against Huddersfield Town in April 2023. A back injury checked early 2023-24, though he signed a new three-year deal that September before a 2024-25 breakthrough, scoring his first league goals in a 2-1 win over Stoke City.

Brighton moved in April 2025, confirming the transfer before a June link-up. He still delivered a defining Sunderland moment, coming off the bench to score the stoppage-time winner in the play-off final against Sheffield United, sealing a 2-1 Wembley comeback and promotion, the club’s first Premier League return since 2017.

Source: Sunderland Echo