West Brom will be hoping for a much more positive 2026-27 campaign after securing Championship safety under James Morrison last season.

And, in an attempt to re-enter the promotion race, the Black Country club has made early moves in the summer transfer window, acquiring three new players to improve their team.

The Baggies began their splurge with the signing of Falkirk attacker Barney Stewart, followed by the announcement of the arrival of Liverpool defender Carter Pinnington, but the former Reds man will initially be placed in Albion’s U21 setup for development.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan, an intriguing Chelsea kid, is Albion’s third and latest addition.

The England U20 international, like Stewart, has signed a four-year contract at The Hawthorns, with Albion paying an initial cost of £1.3 million, with add-ons potentially worth up to £4 million.

However, the work does not stop there, as the Black Country outfit still needs a lot more quality additions to strengthen each sector, with controlling shareholder Shilen Patel expressing that attitude by affirming in an open letter to fans that their business is far from finished.

Albion’s next move could be to add depth out wide, with the Baggies reportedly interested in signing Brighton winger Tommy Watson this summer.

The Baggies need reinforcements on the flanks, especially after Jed Wallace left The Hawthorns on a free transfer, while Mikey Johnston is being eased back into pre-season training after suffering an ankle fracture near the end of last season.

According to the Sunderland Echo, six clubs, including West Brom, are interested in signing the 20-year-old, ranging from Premier League newcomers Hull City to League One side Leicester. Preston North End, Derby County, and West Ham United are among the second-tier clubs putting their names in the hat, alongside Albion.

With a tough fight on their hands to sign Watson this summer, FLW’s West Brom fan commentator has weighed in on the topic, outlining if he believes the former Sunderland star would be a good fit at The Hawthorne.

Tommy Watson’s transfer has raised concerns at West Brom.

Speaking to Football League World, West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess is unsure whether Albion can provide Tommy Watson with the ‘consistent minutes’ he requires at this stage of his career, fearing the 20-year-old will only be a backup option for Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price in James Morrison’s setup.

Callum believes The Hawthorns may not be the best environment for Watson to play football this season, as other clubs offer more frequent opportunities.

Callum told FLW, “What Watson needs now is a position where he can get consistent minutes.

“He broke through at Sunderland before going to Brighton for a large fee, but he has not played consistently there.

“He scored the goal that sent them (Sunderland) to the Premier League, then had an off season at Brighton, playing cup games before joining Millwall in January last season, but he didn’t do much for them.

“I just think that with Mikey Johnston still here and Isaac Price playing on one of the sides in a 4-4-2, Albion do need wingers, but will Watson receive enough minutes? “I am not sure.”

West Brom would be taking an unnecessary gamble with Tommy Watson.

While Tommy Watson is still seen as an attractive young player with plenty of potential, West Brom may believe that bringing him to The Hawthorns would be too risky given his downward trajectory since leaving Sunderland.

Watson was the talk of Wearside after scoring the winning goal in the 2024-25 play-off final to send Sunderland back to the Premier League, with many believing he would rise to the pressure of the top division after deciding to join Brighton.

However, opportunities at the Amex Stadium have been limited, prompting him to be loaned out to Millwall for the second part of last season. Even in the second tier, his time at the Den was disappointing, with only one attacking contribution in 12 games.

And, after losing Jed Wallace, the Baggies would essentially be replacing their former club captain with another player who has failed to deliver on a continuous basis, potentially leading to another relegation struggle under James Morrison.

Aside from his recent poor performances, there’s no guarantee Watson would be selected ahead of the likes of Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston, so it doesn’t appear to be an appealing move from Watson’s perspective, especially given his main goal at the moment is to get regular game time to help turn his career around.

By hook or crook, the Baggies must improve their final third quality if they are to have any success in the near future, therefore it does not appear to be the best option for a player who cannot guarantee the number of goals and assists required for a promotion-contending club.

This is a contract that doesn’t benefit either party, therefore it wouldn’t be surprising if Watson turned down Albion in favour of a move that will allow him to play in a team on a regular basis.