Sunderland have turned down an approach by Brighton and Hove Albion for their youngster Tommy Watson.
The England under-18 international has been out with injury recently having not played for the Black Cats since early December.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Sunderland have rejected a £13 million fee for the winger in addition to a loan move for Simon Adingra to move the other way falling apart.
Who is Tommy Watson?
Tommy Watson is a tall 18-year-old right-footed winger who prefers playing down the left side of the pitch. Despite it being early in his career, he has shown an ability to cut in onto his favoured right foot as well as being a good striker of a football.
So far this season, Watson has played 10 league games for Sunderland, starting six of them. His stand-out match came in December when he scored two goals, including a late winner, against Stoke City in a match-winning performance.
The young winger has been developing well under French manager Regis Le Bris along with other Sunderland youngsters Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, brother of English superstar Jude Bellingham.
Do Brighton need Watson?
Brighton have many attacking options on their books right now. Their wingers include Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh, Solly March, Simon Adingra and many more.
Judging by the age profile of Watson, it would indicate that the Seagulls may have seen this transfer as a nod to the future.
An approach for star Japanese midfielder Mitoma was rejected but Brighton are a club who have previously lost star players. One thing they seem to have done better than most is to have replacements ready, bedded into the squad before seeing their key players leave for pastures new.
Brighton have scored the 11th most goals so far this season in the Premier League.
These goals have been spread across the squad though, with top scorer Danny Welbeck only netting six over since the beginning of the league campaign.
This may be something that the analysts and coaches at the American Express Community Stadium are looking to rectify by targeting some attacking players.
Will a transfer for Watson happen in this window?
It remains unclear whether Brighton are willing to increase their offer. On the face of it, the transfer seems like good value plus Sunderland could have received a ready made replacement with bags of Premier League experience.
Perhaps Brighton are not in a rush to sign the teenager and are happy to continue negotiations with a view to a summer transfer down to the sunny south coast. With not long to go, this seems like the more likely route.