Aston Villa and Crystal Palace join Tommy Watson transfer race after '£8m' Sunderland offer
Premier League duo Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are both reportedly interested in a move for Sunderland winger Tommy Watson before the January transfer window closes on Monday night.
The Black Cats have already turned down a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion said to be in the region of £8million. According to Ed Aarons of the Guardian, both the Villains and the Eagles are set to join the Seagulls in the race to sign the England youth international who has made 10 Championship appearances so far this season, scoring twice against Stoke City.
However, as ChronicleLive reported on Friday, Sunderland do not want to sell the 18-year-old winger, who is in the final 18 months of his contract. Head coach Regis Le Bris made his feelings clear about selling the youngster, who is currently out injured.
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"If Tommy did leave, we have to replace him," Le Bris said at his press conference during the week. "We need two wingers on each flank, there is a better balance. Enzo [Le Fee] can play here, but only because we don't have others available at the moment."
Sunderland are expecting more bids between now and the transfer window closing on Monday night and while it's unlikely Watson will leave this month, that could change if the Black Cats receive a suitable offer.
The Wearsiders would only sell Watson if they were able to bring in a replacement, with time now ticking to bring in a suitable signing capable of playing right away. Sunderland had been looking to strike a deal with Sporting for winger Marcus Edwards, though it appears Burnley have stolen a march in that specific race.
The Black Cats are still hopeful of bringing in a striker before the window closes, in an attempt to bolster their promotion push, having made contact with Liverpool about a proposed loan move for striker Jayden Danns. Blackburn Rovers are also keen on the Reds forward, but Sunderland believe their track record of developing young talent will stand them in good stead in the race for the 18-year-old.
