Sunderland clear stance on Brighton’s Tommy Watson transfer interest explained as Régis Le Bris reacts.
Sunderland are once again fielding interest in Tommy Watson from Premier League side Brighton
Régis Le Bris has said that Sunderland will replace if Tommy Watson if Brighton’s interest develops before the transfer deadline on Monday night.
The Premier League club saw a number of bids for the talented winger rejected on deadline day in the summer, and have revived their interest in the closing stages of the January window. Sources have indicated that a deal is at this stage considered unlikely, as there is a considerable gap in the respective valuations. Sunderland’s position is complicated by the fact that Watson only has 18 months left on his current deal, and so they could be forced into a sale if talks on an extension do not progress. However, the club view is thought to be that he has an important role to play between now and the end of the campaign and that a sale right now does not benefit the club unless the fee is huge. At the moment, that is not the case.
Le Bris hinted at that view when asked about Watson’s status on Friday, making clear that he is an important part of his plans. Sunderland were already hoping to make at least one attacking addition before the deadline even before Brighton’s interest in Watson was accounted for.
While currently sidelined through injury, Watson is thought to be around ten days from making a return to full training.
