West Ham, Derby County, West Brom among Championship clubs eyeing Premier League winger

West Ham, Derby County and West Brom are among five EFL clubs interested in Brighton winger Tommy Watson, according to the Sunderland Echo. West Ham, Derby County, West Brom and Preston North End are all keen on a loan deal for Brighton winger Tommy Watson. The Lilywhites could reignite their interest after previously enquiring about a deal in the January transfer window. The Sunderland Echo also states that the 2025/26 Championship play-off winners, Hull City, are looking at a deal for the youngster, as well as League One outfit Leicester City. Brighton are currently weighing up the 20-year-old’s options ahead of the upcoming campaign. Watson spent the second half of last season on loan at Millwall. It was a disappointing spell for the winger, to say the least, as he found it hard to break into Alex Neil’s starting XI. Brighton signed the youngster from Sunderland last year in a deal worth around £10m. So far, the England U21 international has yet to reach the heights of his play-off winning goal last summer and finding him the best loan destination this transfer window is crucial. Tommy Watson needs second loan move Watson will be eager to put his loan spell for the Lions behind him ahead of the 2026/27 term. The 20-year-old would’ve learnt a lot despite his forgettable stint, and the sooner he gets to playing regularly, the better. Tommy Watson’s stats for Millwall It’s highly unlikely that Brighton will view him as part of their senior squad next season, and a loan move is the necessary option for his development. The winger still has a long way to go to prove he can play in the Premier League and show he is worth the fee paid for him. Watson has to secure a move this summer. Playing development football during the first half of last campaign did him no favours for his loan move to Millwall. Getting a full term at a club in the Championship will be crucial to maximising his potential. Transfer verdict: Derby County, West Brom and Preston North End lead Watson race The 20-year-old will want to prove himself in the Championship after his disappointing spell at Millwall. Despite Leicester City’s likely dominance next season, Watson won’t want to drop down to League One, and Brighton are unlikely to sanction a move to that level. The Sunderland academy graduate is a left-sided winger and is best known for his directness and ability in 1v1 scenarios. Whilst he didn’t show it much at The Den, there are plenty of second-tier clubs that could use that quality in the final third. Derby County need a replacement for Jaydon Banel, and PNE could use a left-sided player with Lewis Dobbin’s unlikely return. West Brom do have Mikey Johnston as their starting choice out wide, although his injury record isn’t reliable. West Ham will be desperate for promotion and inexperience may not be their strategy this transfer window. The post West Ham, Derby County, West Brom among Championship clubs eyeing Premier League winger appeared first on The72 - Football League News.