Sunderland edge closer to a loan exit while former Black Cat Tommy Watson prepares for Championship move
Sunderland’s January transfer window is moving towards a decisive conclusion, with a major outgoing close to completion and further Championship business taking shape elsewhere.
Anthony Patterson is reported to be nearing a loan exit after concluding his medical, according to Football Insider and The Times. The goalkeeper has been strongly linked with a temporary move away from Wearside to secure regular minutes, with Sunderland working to finalise cover in the position before formally sanctioning his departure.
Millwall have been widely reported as leading the race for Patterson’s signature, with the move expected to be completed ahead of Monday’s deadline once all remaining formalities are signed off. Former Sunderland winger Tommy Watson is set to return to the division after Brighton & Hove Albion agreed a loan deal with The Lions.
According to The New York Times, Millwall have beaten off competition from rival clubs, including Stoke City, to secure the 19-year-old on a straight loan deal until the end of the season, with no option to buy included. Watson left Sunderland for Brighton in a £10million move last summer after writing his name into club folklore by scoring the late winner at Wembley in the 2024-25 Championship play-off final against Sheffield United, sealing promotion to the Premier League.
His opportunities on the south coast have been limited, with injuries and competition for places restricting his involvement under head coach Fabian Hürzeler. Watson has made six Premier League appearances from the bench and featured 10 times in all competitions, registering a goal and three assists, including contributions in emphatic Carabao Cup wins away at Oxford United and Barnsley.
Before his move, Watson made 24 senior appearances for Sunderland, 13 of them as a substitute, and signed a four-year contract at Brighton, who continue to view him as a long-term development prospect. Millwall currently sit fifth in the Championship table following a 1-1 home draw with Sheffield United at the weekend. Brighton, meanwhile, were also held to a 1-1 draw by Everton, with Pascal Gross scoring in the second half before a late equaliser denied them victory. They sit 13th and return to action against Crystal Palace on 8 February.
Régis Le Bris speaks warmly regarding Dan Neil after Sunderland exit
Régis Le Bris has spoken warmly about Dan Neil following the midfielder’s departure from Sunderland earlier this week, stressing his respect for both the player and the role he played during a pivotal period for the club.
Neil has joined Ipswich Town on loan for the remainder of the season, a move that brings his long association with Sunderland to a close when his contract expires this summer. The switch ends an 18-year journey that saw the academy graduate make 201 senior appearances and play his part in two promotions, including captaining the club back to the Premier League.
While Neil’s minutes were limited this season, Le Bris highlighted the importance of his influence both last year and during the early stages of the current campaign, particularly in helping a reshaped squad settle following promotion. The head coach revealed he had been in touch with Neil since his exit, describing a relationship built on honesty and mutual respect.
“Huge player and so for the club, for me as manager as well,” Le Bris said. “The connection we had last season was absolutely perfect. The way we worked together, the way he managed the team as a captain, and he was a key factor to manage the togetherness with Luke, probably those two players last season were really important for that topic. The journey is the journey, and I think he's now in a new part of his professional life. You have to leave at times, but with respect and good memories. We spoke over text about the pathway we had together. There’s a lot of respect. He did a good job, and now it’s a new part of his life.”
Le Bris also addressed the situation surrounding Neil’s reduced role this season and insisted that their relationship remained strong throughout. He made clear that there would have been no issue had the midfielder remained at the club until the end of his deal.
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‘As a manager, you have to do your job,” Le Bris said. “So it's not difficult if the conversation is still open. Direct, clean, respectful, and that was the case with Dan. So it was tough because you say you won't be the captain, it will be Granit. He knows that the level is the level, and he fought until the end. His contract situation was the contract situation. So not solved one year before, and when you come into the final year of your contract, with this level of competition, you know that something will happen. So it was already... not the end of the story, but the direction [was set], I would say. And after that, the transfer window is the end.
“If Dan would have stayed with us until the end, for me, it was completely comfortable. It wasn't a problem. It was his decision now. Do I need to leave? Do I think that I need game time now, rather than staying on the bench with maybe some opportunities, but not sure? He decided that it was better to leave, to play, to be involved in the core of the group. It wasn't the case with us, and we need to respect his decision.”
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