League One Leicester to sign Premier League player in major coup

Leicester City are set to sign Brighton winger Tommy Watson on loan, talkSPORT understands.

The England youth international is closing in on a move to the King Power Stadium which has been driven by Foxes boss Russel Martin.

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Watson joined the Seagulls for £10million from Sunderland last summer, signing a four-year deal with the club.

His arrival came after he had scored the winning goal in the Championship play-off final for his boyhood club.

However, the 20-year-old has since made just ten appearances for Brighton.

In those matches, he has scored once and provided three assists.

Watson spent the second half of last season on loan at Championship promotion chasers Millwall.

He went on to make 12 appearances for Alex Neil’s side, who were beaten in the play-off semi-finals by Hull City.

Having returned to the Amex this summer, though, Watson is on the verge of being loaned out once again.

Leicester are set to win the race for his signature despite their relegation to League One.

Leicester coup

New manager Martin is understood to have been key to securing Watson’s arrival on loan.

The 40-year-old replaced Gary Rowett in the dugout earlier this summer, signing a three-year deal with the Foxes.

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It is Martin’s first managerial role since leaving Scottish giants Rangers in October.

He previously guided Southampton to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs in 2024.

Leicester are currently preparing for only their second-ever season in the third-tier of English football.

The Foxes were relegated to League One last term for the first time since 2009.

Their only previous campaign at the level saw them win promotion as champions.

Martin’s side begin the new season away to Notts County on Saturday, August 15.

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Foxes transfer business

Watson’s imminent arrival will make him Leicester’s fourth signing of the summer.

Conor Chaplin and Alex McCarthy have both been signed on free transfers following their releases from Ipswich Town and Southampton, respectively.

Meanwhile, England youth international Christian McFarlane has joined on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

As for departures, Abdul Fatawu, Bilal El Khannouss, Jeremy Monga and Harry Winks have been sold.

Victor Kristiansen has also departed on loan to join Panathinaikos.

Meanwhile, Patson Daka, Ricardo Pereira, Jordan Ayew, Jannik Vestergaard, Jamaal Lascelles, Wanya Marcal, Asmir Begovic and Silko Thomas have left on free transfers.