Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman of Sunderland has acknowledged that it was “really easy” to reject Brighton’s late offers for the promising young player.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has admitted it was ‘really easy’ to turn down Brighton’s late bids for Tommy Watson.

Sunderland might have sold Jack Clarke in the summer transfer window, but he was the only big name departure from the Stadium of Light.

The winger got his deserved move to the Premier League with Ipswich Town after two strong years in the Championship. However, the likes of Dan Ballard, Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil and more still remain onboard on Wearside.

It has helped them enjoy a fantastic start to the campaign to date, winning all four Championship games.

It’s been former Tottenham Hotspur youngster Romaine Mundle to assume Clarke’s role on the left-hand side, but academy starlet Tommy Watson is seen as the long-term heir to the throne with many comparing him to the now departed star.

Sunderland had to fend off late interest in Watson with reports of multiple bids coming in from Brighton late in the summer transfer window. It was said the last came in at over £2m.

Now, Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has opened up on the rejected Premier League bids.

As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, Speakman admitted that despite the money on offer, it was ‘really easy’ to resist the temptation to cash in on Watson. He spoke clearly about the path to the first-team for the teenager, though admitted it won’t be easy given the levels shown by the side recently.