"Big trouble" - Pundit fires Tommy Watson warning to Sunderland amid Brighton transfer news | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to Football League World about Sunderland winger Tommy Watson, who remains of interest to Brighton and Hove Albion

Pundit and former England international Carlton Palmer has fired a warning to Sunderland over the future of Tommy Watson, who has just eighteen months left to run on his current contract amid persistent interest from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion.

Watson was the subject of intense transfer speculation late into the winter window following an impressive first-team breakthrough under Regis Le Bris, with his performances and potential prompting interest from Brighton.

The Seagulls, who have a well-documented track record of acquiring and developing young talent, made a number of unsuccessful bids for Watson's signature. Sunderland were unable to source a potential replacement for Watson in time, which meant they eventually had to rebuff Brighton's deadline day advances.

It is said that one of Brighton’s offers was worth £8.5 million plus add-ons, although the top-flight side are unlikely to return with a similar proposal in the summer, according to a more recent report from The Sun's Alan Nixon.

Separately, Fabrizio Romano also reported a £13 million offer from Brighton, which was rejected.

As per Nixon’s report, Brighton are set to offer less money for Watson, with the Seagulls’ transfer team seemingly lining up a “small number”.

Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman spoke shortly after the window concluded and appeared relaxed about Watson's situation, telling the Sunderland Echo he felt it wasn't a risk to reject £13 million for the 18-year-old, despite his contract being set to expire next summer.

Sunderland, of course, would be eligible to receive a not-insignificant compensation sum for Watson if he was to run down his deal, but any such deal would still fall short of what could be collected in the market, leading many supporters to label the decision to turn down Brighton's advances a considerable risk.

Carlton Palmer's Sunderland AFC, Tommy Watson transfer verdict amid Brighton interest

Palmer also believes it's a big risk to have Watson entering the latter stages of his contract while rejecting significant sums. According to Palmer, Sunderland should assess the situation in the summer and may have to offload Watson if they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League, which would naturally lessen their chances of tying him down to a new contract.

"It's believed that Brighton are set to go back in for young Tommy Watson in the summer," Palmer exclusively told FLW.

"Brighton failed on deadline day to sign Watson, Sunderland rejected a £13 million deal. They felt it was too late in the window and they weren't able to bring a replacement in.

"It's believed that Brighton will go back but with way less money. His contract is up in the summer of 2026, so at this moment in time, it's probably highly unlikely he will sign a new contract.

"If you're letting a young player of his ability get down to the last 18 months of his contract, you're going to be in big trouble. So it will be interesting to see what happens, Brighton still firmly have their sights on bringing Watson to the club.

"We know the way Brighton are - sign young players, develop them and then sell them on for big money. Brighton are keeping tabs on the situation and we'll wait and see.

"Fair play to him, the hierarchy said he didn't kick up a fuss over the fact he didn't move on. He's just got his head down and has said he wants to play in the Premier League with Sunderland and you never know what will happen between now and the summer.

"Le Bris will want to keep the player but it's very difficult when he gets down to the last 18 months of his contract, the player becomes the one in the driving seat in regards to negotiations.

"It's difficult for Sunderland because as it looks now, they're not going to get automatic promotion and to make an offer now is difficult as they don't know what league they're going to be playing in. Obviously they could pay more money if they knew they were going to be in the Premier League.

"But they have got time on their side, they can wait now until the end of the season and then sit down with him knowing where they are and either try and get the best deal for him or move on."

Tommy Watson's 24/25 Sunderland AFC form

It's little wonder why Brighton were so eager to land the teenager's services and have seemingly retained that interest.

Watson had made a strong impression across his 10 appearances for the Championship promotion hopefuls before suffering an injury against Bristol City on at the start of December, which has kept him out of action ever since.

Watson scored his first goals for Sunderland just days before as he bagged an emphatic brace to inspire a 2-1 victory over Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.

Naturally, the young winger has earned comparisons to Jack Clarke and could well be a long-term successor to the now-Ipswich Town starlet, if he stays beyond the summer.

But just what division Sunderland are plying their trade in will surely play a big part in that - it now appears as though automatic promotion is slipping out of sight and they may have to rely on the play-offs to help them keep Watson, along with other prized, in-demand assets such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg