West Ham, Derby and Leicester among six clubs keen on 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, with Brighton weighing up a loan for the 20-year-old this summer.

Preston North End could yet re-enter after previous interest before his February move to Millwall. Options span League One, the Championship and the Premier League, with a Championship switch viewed as the most likely route at this stage.

Brighton remain admirers after signing him from Sunderland in a deal worth around £10 million last year. He agreed a long-term contract, but regular senior football is now seen as pivotal to his development.

He made 10 appearances for Brighton in the first half of 2025-26, scoring 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 former Sunderland head coach Alex Neil, and made 12 appearances.

Those close to Watson want consistent minutes and any loan will be judged on that basis. The priority is an environment that builds rhythm, confidence and consistency, with competition at Brighton potentially intensifying before the window shuts.

Watson cemented his play-off hero status in 2025 when, off the bench, he struck a stoppage-time winner against Sheffield United at Wembley to complete a 2-1 comeback and seal Sunderland’s first Premier League return since 2017.

Source: Sunderland Echo