Sunderland look to have kept hold of Tommy Doyle after fending off an improved bid from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls have monitored the 18-year-old winger for over six months and have ramped up their interest over recent weeks.
Deal Off For Watson
According to Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland have rejected a package in the region of £13.5 million for Doyle and as a result the deal between the two clubs is now off. It also has the knock-on effect of ending Sunderland’s interest in Simon Adingra, who the Wearside club wanted on loan in exchange for Watson.
This bid is a major step up from their original offer in the summer, which was a seven-figure bid that was turned down. Watson has 18 months left on his deal at The Stadium of Light.
Other players are being considered by Regis Le Bris’ side, with Kasey McAteer being a target however Leicester City have reportedly turned down a £10 million bid for the 23-year-old according to David Ornstein.
Writer’s View
This will be a major sigh of relief to Sunderland fans. Doyle has been a brilliant player for them and is one of their many exciting prospects across the first team. Now they have denied Brighton a deal, The Black Cats need to try and secure him to a new deal or risk this same scenario ramping up again in the summer, likely with other clubs entering the fray too. It should be the cherry on top of what has been a superb window for Sunderland in securing new players like Enzo Le Fee and Jayden Danns as well as curtailing any chances of players like Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham from leaving.