AliousSunderland could be facing a major dilemma over the future of Tommy Watson, as former England international Carlton Palmer has sounded the alarm about the teenager’s contract situation amid ongoing interest from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls, renowned for their talent-spotting and development, aggressively pursued Watson in the January window, but Sunderland stood firm, rejecting multiple bids—including a reported £13 million offer. The Black Cats refused to part with the promising winger due to their inability to find a suitable replacement before the deadline. However, with Watson’s contract set to expire in 2026, Brighton are expected to return with a lower offer this summer, as per reports from The Sun’s Alan Nixon.
Palmer has warned that Sunderland’s decision to let Watson enter the final 18 months of his contract without a resolution could put them in serious trouble. He believes the club’s chances of securing the youngster’s long-term future hinge on whether they can secure promotion to the Premier League. If they fail, they may have little choice but to cash in on Watson rather than risk losing him for a reduced compensation fee.
Despite the uncertainty, Watson has remained professional, reportedly keeping his head down and expressing his desire to play in the Premier League—whether with Sunderland or elsewhere. Manager Régis Le Bris will undoubtedly want to keep hold of the rising star, but the power dynamic shifts in favor of the player as his contract runs down, making negotiations increasingly difficult.
With Sunderland’s automatic promotion hopes fading, the club will likely wait until the end of the season to determine their next move. If they fail to go up, they may be forced into a tough decision: secure a big-money deal for Watson while they still can or risk losing him for significantly less in the future.
Watson had made a strong impact in his breakthrough season before suffering an injury in early December. Across 10 appearances, he netted twice—including a match-winning brace against Stoke City—and created numerous chances, drawing comparisons to former Sunderland star Jack Clarke.
The coming months could be pivotal, not just for Watson’s future, but for Sunderland’s hopes of retaining their top young talents, including Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg. If they fall short in their promotion bid, a summer exodus may be looming.
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