Wrexham are monitoring Brighton & Hove Albion winger Tommy Watson as a backup to their priority striking recruits.
The January departures of James McClean and Conor Coady have seen Wrexham’s squad strength reduce from 25 to just 23 men. With more departures imminent, the Reds need to balance it with some signings.
On the arrivals front, Wrexham’s preferred modus operandi has been permanent signings. While the club’s arrival count still stands zero, the Reds are seemingly close to finalising their first outright purchase.
To Wrexham fans’ relief, this is followed by Wrexham diversifying its signing strategy. Apart from permanent deals, the Reds are considering backup loan moves in case their priority transfers in Sidiki Cherif or Adam Armstrong fail to materialise.
Already eyeing Sammie Szmodics on loan, Wrexham broadens its menu of possibilities with Tom Watson’s links. As per reports, the Reds are among a long list of clubs interested in offering the teenage star a temporary spell.
Recently, journalist Michael Bleach confirmed Wrexham’s interest, saying: “Hearing several Championship clubs are showing interest in Tommy Watson. The BHAFC forward is considering a loan for first-team football. Millwall are currently leading the race for the youngster, with WxmAFC, Hcafc and BristolCity also monitoring the situation.”
Despite trailing behind Millwall in this transfer race, the idea of bringing in a Premier League star seems fanciful to Wrexham. While that’s the general notion expected, Watson’s move can reawaken the past trauma of Wrexham star Kieffer Moore.
Tom Watson and Kieffer Moore’s playoff final tale
Previously, Tom Watson and Big Kieff have faced off against each other once. The meeting stood in the Championship playoff final last season, which crowned Watson with the hero medal and made Moore a villain.
On the back of a modest 6-goal campaign, Kieffer Moore was supposed to help Sheffield United’s promotion with a Wembley win. Instead, he added to the Blades’ woes by contributing to the stoppage-time winner for Sunderland.
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In a build-up by Sheffield’s defence, Kieffer Moore received the ball near the half-line. After being unable to search for options upfront, he misplaced a backpass that came directly at Tom Watson’s feet.
Though his PL move to Brighton had been confirmed before, Watson made sure Sunderland also went up. The teenager placed the ball perfectly in the bottom corner as he became the Black Cats’ hero while turning Moore into the biggest villain for Sheffield fans.
Since then, the Blades’ animosity towards Kieffer Moore has never decreased. While Chris Wilder has forgiven him long ago, Big Kieff’s blunder remains a sin among Sheffield United fans.
Watson is Wrexham’s safety option instead of priority
If Tom and Moore end up sharing the dressing room at Wrexham, both of them are sure to have a supremely awkward reunion. However, to Moore’s relief, the chances of it happening are quite low.
As mentioned above, Tom Watson is a safety net option for Wrexham rather than being an immediate priority. While the Reds’ positioning in his transfer race speaks for itself, Watson doesn’t fit naturally in Wrexham’s playing style.
Tom Watson is a conventional left-winger by trait. Though his talent at a young age and Premier League pedigree are exciting, he can be a misfit in Phil Parkinson’s 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 system.
Other than this, Watson’s injury record hasn’t been the most impressive in recent years. Having made just 21 League appearances for Sunderland in the last Championship season, Watson has had a struggling start to his Brighton life.
Either way, if a new striker comes in, Wrexham star Nathan Broadhead’s role feels on the line. That further diminishes the Reds’ pursuit of Watson, as the teenager is eager to command regular game-time.
Factoring all these in, Wrexham’s Tommy Watson interest is a replica of their presence in teammate Jeremy Sarmiento’s deal. If either of the Reds’ priority transfers in Cherif, Armstrong or Szmodics happens, the club can be seen backing off very quickly.
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