Preston North End urged to beat Derby County in transfer race for Brighton player with "bags of potential" | OneFootball

FLW's resident Preston North End fan pundit discussed the Lilywhites' reported loan interest in Brighton and Hove Albion winger Tommy Watson

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Preston North End have enjoyed an imperious introduction to the 2025/26 Championship campaign, with Paul Heckingbottom's outfit appearing perfectly capable of mounting and sustaining a play-off push after narrowly avoiding relegation last time out.

Indeed, the Lilywhites only managed to preserve their second-tier status by a single point back in May, where they were still able to stay up over Luton Town despite squandering a two-goal lead away at Bristol City to play out a dramatic 2-2 draw.

Their ambitions this term, however, are loftier, and there is excitement around Deepdale following a shrewd summer transfer window which saw Heckingbottom pull off impressive deals for the likes of Harrison Armstrong, Alfie Devine, Thierry Small and Odel Offiah.

That window has translated to a strong start to the season, one which has perhaps surpassed the expectations of both the masses and Lilywhites supporters themselves, with Preston situated in sixth position after seven games.

North End have only tasted defeat once — away at Portsmouth last month — and have picked up some mightily-impressive results in the process by claiming consecutive victories over promotion-chasing pair Leicester City and Ipswich Town in August before taking a rare point from league leaders Middlesbrough.

Preston will, of course, have the opportunity to further bolster their squad once the January transfer window rolls around, and appear to be planning ahead with interest in Brighton winger Tommy Watson.

As reported on Sunday morning by The Sun's Alan Nixon — via his exclusive Patreon service — Heckingbottom watched the teenage prospect in action during Brighton's 6-0 EFL Cup rout of Barnsley last week, in which he impressively notched a hattrick of assists.

Championship rivals Derby County and Hull City, meanwhile, have also reportedly been in attendance to watch Watson, who could be sent out on loan in January as he continues to struggle to force his way into Fabian Hurzeler's Premier League plans.

Preston North End urged to beat Derby County to Brighton, Tommy Watson loan transfer

At the time of writing, Watson is yet to make his Premier League debut for Brighton, having formally joined the Seagulls in a £10 million switch from boyhood club Sunderland before remaining on Wearside for the final stages of the previous season.

It's a good job that he did, of course, with Watson shooting to national attention after coming on from the bench to score a sensational 95th-minute winner to fire Sunderland back to the Premier League in May's play-off final victory over Sheffield United.

The 19-year-old found the back of the net on three occasions for the Black Cats at Championship level and only started eleven matches under Regis Le Bris, although his potential is undeniable and has left a number of second-tier suitors plotting a swoop.

Football League World asked our resident Preston fan pundit, Darren Watson, whether he believes the Seagulls winger would represent an exciting signing at Deepdale.

In Darren's view, Watson has "bags of potential" and would offer a useful addition to what he already believes to be a talented squad under Heckingbottom, with the pacey wide-man's proven pedigree in big games also pointed out in the event that Preston end up finishing inside the play-offs.

"The lad was at Sunderland last season and obviously played a massive, massive part in sending them to the Premier League by getting the final goal in the play-off final — and what a goal it was as well," Darren told FLW.

"The lad's got bags of potential and I'm really surprised that Brighton are not utilising his strengths. Again, if we do go for him, it'll only add quality to our squad.

"It's something that we need to look at. When the transfer window opens, any additions to the squad will make it better, but this season as well I think we've got a really decent squad and depth.

"There are players who were first-team players last season who can't get into the matchday squad, or they're on the bench because of the quality we've brought in from the summer transfer window. Players like Pol Valentin, Thierry Small and we've improved in quite a lot of areas, it just goes to show the quality that Paul Heckingbottom has brought in.

"But going back to Watson, he's a very good player and he's only going to add a lot of quality to our squad if we do go and get him, which I think we should because we've seen what he can do in big games. Especially if Preston do get into the play-offs this season, it's a big ask, but who knows what could happen with the right quality players."

Preston North End will face stiff competition for Brighton's Tommy Watson

As aforementioned, Preston are by no means alone in their pursuit of Watson, who also has interest from Derby and Hull. However, it would represent a significant surprise if, come the opening of the January transfer window, the trio were the only three Championship sides interested in acquiring his services on loan.

Watson is regarded as one of the most promising young wide players to have emerged from the Championship in recent times, with the Sunderland academy product often earning understandable comparisons to ex-Black Cats star Jack Clarke.

One would imagine that a host of upper-end Championship outfits, those with similar or even more tangible aspirations of achieving promotion than Preston, will inevitably come calling, and that could make it difficult for the Lilywhites to get a deal over the line.