‘Trying to…’: Keith Downie shares Sunderland’s transfer plan for deadline day

For Southampton, the bulk of their focus on deadline day may be on keepingplayers at the Stadium of Light; most notably Tommy Watson. Brighton are pushing to sign Watson before the 11pm deadline and have already seen two bids rejected by Sunderland.

But Regis Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman want to do some business of their own, and what Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie has revealed may indicate towards the club being ready to sell Watson.

Sunderland want to sign a new left winger

Posting on X, Downie was asked whether or not he’s heard of any potential Sunderland arrivals on deadline day. He replied, stating that the Black Cats simply want to sign a new left winger.

Downie was replying on a post which stated that Brighton will keep on pushing to sign Watson, so putting two and two together cold suggest that Sunderland are trying to sign a replacement for Watson. That’d mark a slight shift from Sunderland wanting to sign a new striker.

Sunderland’s key condition in selling Tommy Watson

Downie’s reveal makes a lot more sense now, because on Sunday it was revealed that Sunderland wanted to sign a Watson replacement before letting him leave.

So for Watson, a move to Brighton hinges on what business Sunderland can do before 11pm on Monday night, and then whether or not they can thrash out the deal with Brighton.

Sunderland play Middlesbrough on Monday evening so it doesn’t make matters easier for the Black Cats, who’ll be focussed on that game. Speakman will surely have a lot on his plate in the final hours of the winter window.

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