The timing of Tommy Watson’s transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion surprised Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, but the Black Cats head coach has stated that the 18-year-old will still play for his team this season as they continue their play-off campaign. The Seagulls announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement to pay around £10 million to sign the Academy of Light product in the summer on a four-year contract until June 2029.
The lengthy transfer drama, in which Albion tried to lure Watson to the Amex Stadium during the previous two windows, comes to a conclusion with his arrival. Naturally, on the day of the deadline, Fabian Hurzeler’s team’s proposal was reportedly rejected for around £13 million.
Watson has officially finalised a Premier League move and will arrive at the Amex Stadium at the conclusion of this season, despite a February transfer attempt falling through.
Le Bris offered his opinions on the matter and questioned the move’s timing in an interview with the Sunderland Echo.
The head coach stated, “We have to accept the situation.”
Although the timing is not ideal, we acknowledge that Tommy has previously received numerous offers from Premier League clubs, so we declined and attempted to extend his contract, but ultimately it was not feasible. Therefore, it is his decision, and we must move on. I hope it will benefit the club financially at the very least and our future.
Each player is unique, and Sunderland’s atmosphere is, in my opinion, excellent for young players’ growth. The club has faith in young players, so they can get minutes. At the same time, everyone is different. Everyone had to decide because Tommy just had a little more than a year left on his contract. We must acknowledge that his decision is his own.
Tommy made this decision, but other players made different ones. We simply must acknowledge that they are all unique. Whether it is good or negative we shall have to see, that is life. We can at least go on now that it is known.
Watson’s move to the south coast comes days before Sunderland’s Championship contest against play-off rivals West Brom.
Le Bris has also commended the winger’s professionalism and stated that the young phenom would continue to compete for a spot in his starting lineup for the rest of the season.
Tommy will play if he performs well. Football is simple like this.
“You have contracts, and you have to accept that sometimes the relationship is a little more transactional.” While some players are under contract and only play, others have a strong connection to the club, the story, etc. The important thing is that those players can still contribute positively to the squad.
“I believe Tommy will be involved because he is a professional. The timing is a little strange, and I accept that, but we want to continue until the end of the season.” “The situation is not that unusual in football; you have to deal with these situations.”
