SUNDERLAND have rebuffed Brighton’s latest approach for Tommy Watson, with Regis Le Bris admitting the winger would “have to be replaced” if he was to leave ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
Brighton made an initial offer for Watson towards the end of the summer transfer window, with the Sunderland hierarchy rejecting their bid out of hand as it did not come close to matching their valuation of the teenager.
The same thing has happened again, with Brighton officials making renewed contact over Watson in the last 48 hours.
Again though, the sums that were being proposed fell way short of Sunderland’s valuation of the 18-year-old winger, which has increased significantly since the summer given the rate of his development in the first half of the season.
Watson, who is currently sidelined through a combination of knee and ankle issues, made six starts in seven games prior to suffering his injury and scored his first Championship goals in the 2-1 home win over Stoke City.
Sunderland do not want to lose the academy product, although given that he is in the last 18 months of his current deal, there is an acceptance that a huge bid could be difficult to turn down, particularly if it came from a Premier League club and Watson was interested in the move.
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As things stand, Brighton’s valuation has not come close to reaching a level where the Sunderland hierarchy would feel compelled to assess their options. If that was to happen, though, and Watson was to leave before the transfer window closes on Monday night, Le Bris is adamant that a direct replacement would be required.
“If Tommy did leave, we have to replace him,” said the Black Cats head coach, whose side head to the Riverside on Monday night to take on Middlesbrough in the Tees-Wear derby. “We need two wingers on each flank, this is a better balance. Enzo (Le Fee) can play here, but only because we don't have others available at the moment.”
When Sunderland turned down Brighton’s initial offer in the summer, Watson was something of an unknown quantity given his lack of experience in the first team.
That is no longer the case, and while his injury prevented him from properly establishing himself as a regular in the senior ranks, Le Bris has no doubts over the extent of Watson’s potential.
“Tommy started a few games before his injury, so he was a new player in our team and he did well,” he said. “But it's always the case that when a new player starts, it's a new challenge.
“When you have to play ten, 15 games it is a different dynamic and a different challenge. He has started very, very well but to be a starter for a long period - this is different.
“We weren't able to assess this fully because of the injury. But there is no doubt that he has very good potential and is a very good player. And he fits very well into our style of play.
“We feed our wingers and support them in taking risks in one-on-one situations. If they fail, we say, ‘Try again’. His profile is very good for this, but he has only played a few games.”
