West Ham United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion winger Tommy Watson this summer.
OneFootball reports the Hammers have identified the 20-year-old as a target as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to add more pace and direct running to his attacking options.
Watson joined Brighton from Sunderland in a £10m deal after scoring the stoppage-time winner in the 2025 Championship play-off final at Wembley.
His first year on the south coast has been difficult. The England youth international found senior minutes hard to come by before spending the second half of the season on loan at Millwall.
ReadWestHam recently looked at West Ham’s attacking depth search after links with El Bilal Toure, and Watson would fit a younger, lower-cost profile if Brighton allow him to move.
Watson Wants Regular First-Team Football
Watson’s priority appears clear.
After 16 appearances without a goal or assist at Millwall, he needs a club willing to give him proper senior minutes next season.
West Ham are not alone in the race. Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Derby County are all said to be considering offers. Preston North End could also return after monitoring him in January.
Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry is also reportedly on West Ham’s radar after his loan spell at Bolton Wanderers.
For Nuno, the logic is easy to see. West Ham need more energy in wide areas, but they also need value in a market shaped by PSR and squad-balance concerns.
Watson would not arrive as a guaranteed starter. He would arrive as a player with upside, Wembley pedigree and something to prove after a quiet loan spell.
The key issue is game time. If West Ham can offer a convincing pathway, they may have a chance in a busy race.
