Sunderland winger Tommy Watson’s has finally agreed terms and conditions to be signed by Brighton

Sunderland have secured an eight-figure fee for young winger Tommy Watson, but not all parties involved in his sale to Brighton have prevailed from the negotiations.

Days after Sunderland beat Millwall 1-0, unexpected transfer news was revealed by the club regarding youngster Tommy Watson.

The 18-year-old didn’t feature at the weekend for Regis Le Bris’ side and now Watson has completed a £10million move to Brighton.

Academy of Light graduate Watson will join the Seagulls at the end of the 2024/25 season after completing the Championship campaign with his boyhood club.

Watson has featured 14 times for the Black Cats this term, scoring twice, after his promotion from the Under-21s.

Sunderland AFC News discusses the three winners and three losers from the sale of Watson to Brighton.

Three winners in Tommy Watson’s transfer to Brighton

Kristjaan Speakman

On the face of the deal, Sunderland’s sporting director Kristjaan Speakman appears the obvious winner.

Sunderland have banked an initial £10million fee for the young winger, with the potential for £1m in add-ons, which is an impressive haul for an inexperienced talent.

Brighton had deadline day advances for Watson rebuffed in January. Given Watson’s Sunderland contract was set to expire in June 2026, with no indication of the youngster wanting to extend his stay on Wearside, the fee is an impressive one.

With Watson now staying to help Sunderland’s promotion push rather than departing mid-season, sporting director Speakman will leave the negotiation table very content.

Romaine Mundle

No teammate will rejoice in a colleague departing, but Watson’s sale bodes positively for left-winger Romaine Mundle.

Mundle has been in prolific form this season, with seven goal contributions in just 16 Championship starts for Sunderland, despite injury woes hampering his season. Watson stepped up in Mundle’s long-term absence before he fell injured himself, but Mundle now knows his starting spot is all but guaranteed.