Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

And now a goal

 

Really tidy finish, placed it bottom corner just outside the box. Free kick for the first goal was good anarl

 

One of the best set piece takers going at the minute, can see week on week every opponent puts 11 men in the box for every free kick, corner etc.

Really glad it didn't blow up in my face after I said he was an ideal target - could have had a rare stinker.

PS: just thought I'd look through some of his sofascore/fotmob ratings since it's nice to sometimes have some evidence for that you've seen. Averaging a 7.9 over the last 3 seasons in serie B seems pretty insane, I don't like fotmob ratings as an individual data source but when they back up what you can already see or if you use them in conjunction with other stats websites it can be a good tool - like I have attached.

Hope you enjoyed the game if you watched, I was on the train so signal was piss poor and couldn't.

 

Why did Tommy Watson choose to leave Sunderland for Brighton?

So why did Watson choose to leave Sunderland at such a young age and relatively early stage of his development? As with many transfers, the answer lies in a combination of financial, footballing, and circumstantial factors. Like Jack Clarke and Ross Stewart before him, Watson was presented with Premier League-level wages that Sunderland simply couldn’t match (Ipswich had just been promoted and Southampton had parachute payments). Brighton, established in the top flight in 2016, could offer both money and a long-term project. It’s a short career, after all.

Assurances from Brighton also played a key role. Despite speculation that Watson may be loaned out or used solely in youth football, the player has been offered a genuine shot at competing for a place in the first team next season. Brighton are expected to move on some attacking players this summer, and Watson’s integration into the senior squad is said to be a key part of their plan. Of course, Sunderland are still chasing Premier League promotion, but from Watson’s perspective, there’s no guarantee that will be achieved. The promise of top-flight football, at 19, with a club known for nurturing youth talent, ultimately proved too hard to turn down.

There’s also no secret that Watson wanted more first-team minutes at Sunderland. While Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham were fast-tracked into regular senior football, Watson—through no fault of his own—was held back by untimely injuries. That, combined with high-level competition for places when fit, particularly with Clarke’s stellar form, limited his opportunities. For Sunderland's part, Jobe and Rigg were promoted because they were ready, and their development has since justified that decision, with the pair now worth upwards of £50million combined.

But Watson felt his impressive under-21 performances—particularly during their run to the Premier League 2 play-off final—should have earned him more senior minutes. Watson made his debut under Tony Mowbray in April 2023 but had to wait more than a year for his next first-team appearance, under Mike Dodds. Even then, opportunities were sparse. Sunderland’s decision to prioritise Romaine Mundle last pre-season and early in the campaign also contributed to Watson’s decision, though Mundle’s talent and performances made that a justifiable call. It should also be noted that a technically out-of-contract Watson came close to leaving before signing his first three-year professional deal in September 2023—and may well have done so, if it wasn’t for the aforementioned injury.

Sources close to the deal told The Echo they were dismayed by Harte’s social media outburst, which served only to inflame tensions. The timing of Watson’s move to Unique was significant, coming after Brighton failed in a summer bid and just ahead of the January window. A deadline-day move in January to Brighton fell through as Watson travelled to the South Coast while Sunderland played Middlesbrough at the Riverside—an indication of just how close the deal came.

He was also on the radar of clubs like Rangers before signing his first professional contract in 2023, though injury hampered progress at a crucial stage. They also showed an interest before he signed his scholarship in 2022. After the January deadline passed and Watson remained a Sunderland player, the club made a genuine attempt to keep him, opening contract discussions. However, contact with Brighton—driven by their proactive recruitment team—never truly stopped. Once it became clear Watson wouldn’t sign a new deal, Sunderland opted to cash in, rather than risk losing him for minimal compensation or on a free. Moreover, Sunderland have shown a consistent willingness to allow players to move on when the deal is right—see Stewart and Clarke. That open-mindedness is a rare but commendable trait in modern football.

 

I've just checked SMI (Who Harte works for) and checked who they represent. Boro are prime to get dry humped if they don't go up...so many of their players are on tSMI books... we have a few only notable being Huggins

 

The Leeds connection.

 

A few telling bits, mainly that it sounds like he was off before signing the pro until he got injured. Sounds like this has been on the cards a while.

 

Yep. And that he seems to kick up a fuss when not getting his way. And, imo, he is nowhere near as good as Mundle. Hopefully doesn’t play any more. I didn’t say that before the weekend, but his “half arsed-ness” made my mind up. Still won’t boo him. But Mayenda is a better option

 

Until Mundle's back,get Mayenda in and Enzo in the middle....got to happen!

 

I love the virtuous circle we are creating at the club for developing young players and giving them first team opportunities. It will attract even more talented youngsters, leading to a greater impact on the first team and help solidly establish the club at increasingly higher levels

 

If we stay down I hope he doesn't leave. I really hope we go up as we could lose a good chunk of the core that have been here the last few years. We would have a **** load of money but replacing that bond is hard.

Anyway, we are winning the playoffs so who cares

 

It's so important to the long term health of the club, but it does represent a more long and winding road back up the ladder, which comes with it's own challenges. Missing out this summer will be a crucial point. The reactionary voices will be bleating for a complete change of approach. They'll reach fever pitch if we start next season slowly. Just hope that the club can block out the noise.

 

True, as we're not a fanbase renowned for our patience. It might help that we would have decent spending power to bring in some top young talent - funded by some big sales. Keeping positive energy coming from the club may be crucial in the summer months.

 

Ballard to Sheff United mentioned in a few places. I wouldn’t mind that at £15m

 

Depends for me. If we are going to lose a few core squad players from the last few years i'd like him to stick around

 

I get that. Fully expect to lose Jobe, possibly Neil. Not sure who else would command plenty of interest

 

Ballard's a bit of an enigma to me. Some matches,looks so assured with and without the ball,others,a bit haphazard. And,he picks up a lot of injuries.

 

Know exactly what you mean. He’s played nowhere near enough games since signing for the club

 

We need a good look at Seelt, see what he has to offer.

 

Another who we’ve hardly seen. 18 senior appearances in almost 2 seasons now. He’s only 21 though, hopefully remains fit going forward