Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing a late‑season deal for Manchester City’s talented winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a clear interest in arranging a loan move for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues.
While a temporary loan is at the forefront of their plans, the club is also weighing the option of a permanent transfer, hoping to bolster their options on the flanks as part of a broader strategy to improve squad depth. The interest in Grealish comes alongside Sunderland’s pursuit of another attacking prospect, Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, who is currently plying his trade at Olympique de Marseille. The club’s hierarchy believes that adding a player of Grealish’s experience and technical ability could provide an immediate lift to the team’s creative output, especially given the limited alternatives available to Manchester City in wide‑forward positions at the moment. Grealish spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, where he featured regularly and demonstrated his capacity to influence games from the wing.
Everton remain keen on retaining the player, but Sunderland’s willingness to negotiate a loan with an option to buy could make their proposal attractive to both the player and City. Grealish has also featured for City this season, albeit sparingly – he appeared as a substitute in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and was brought on during the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Manchester City have recently seen a reshuffle in their attacking roster. The club completed the sale of Savio to Tottenham Hotspur and is in the process of finalising the departure of Omar Marmoush to the same English side.
Savio’s move has already been confirmed, while Marmoush’s paperwork is still being processed. These exits have left City with a thinner selection of wide‑forward options, a situation made more acute by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, which is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks. In response, City have turned their attention to the South American market, targeting 22‑year‑old Brazilian Allan from Palmeiras as a potential replacement for Savio. Although the deal has yet to be completed, the club is also monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as part of its ongoing recruitment drive.
At present, Sunderland manager Enzo Maresca’s only senior, natural‑wide players are Antoine Semenyo and Jack Grealish. While versatile attackers such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more frequently utilised in central roles. This scarcity of dedicated wide players underscores the urgency behind Sunderland’s pursuit of both Grealish and Paixão.
The interest in Paixão is equally pronounced. Sunderland have already submitted a formal bid for the Brazilian winger earlier this week, following a period of intense scouting.
The player had previously attracted attention from Leeds United during the summer transfer window, but he ultimately chose to sign for Marseille. Now, with Marseille reportedly needing to raise funds, Sunderland see an opportunity to secure his services. The club’s priority, however, remains the acquisition of a high‑calibre winger, and Grealish is viewed as a player who can immediately raise the standard of play on the flanks. Beyond Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have also been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo.
Catamo carries a hefty release clause of £51.4 million at the Portuguese side, indicating the level of investment Sunderland might be prepared to make for a player of his potential. The club’s transfer list also includes a range of other names across various leagues, from Dayann Methalie of Toulouse (valued at £25.7 million) to Jules Ahoka of Royal Antwerp (£8 million), and several free‑transfer targets such as Thomas Meunier, Ethan Berry, Adam Nelson, and Dennis Cirkin.
In addition, Sunderland have identified several players on loan or released contracts who could add depth to the squad. These include Milan Aleksic from Partizan Belgrade (loan), Matty Young from Huddersfield (loan), and free agents like Oliver Bainbridge, Tom Lavery, Dan Neil, and Rhys Walsh. The club’s scouting network continues to monitor the market for affordable talent that can complement the core of the team. Overall, Sunderland’s transfer strategy reflects a clear intent to reinforce the wide areas of the pitch, with Jack Grealish positioned as a marquee target.
Whether the deal materialises as a loan with an option to buy or as a full‑time permanent signing, the Black Cats are prepared to act swiftly. The combination of Grealish’s Premier League experience, his ability to create chances from the wing, and Sunderland’s ambition to climb the league table makes this potential move a compelling narrative for both clubs and their supporters. As the summer transfer window progresses, fans can expect further updates on Sunderland’s negotiations, including possible confirmations of deals for Grealish, Paixão, and other identified targets. The club’s proactive approach suggests that they are not only looking to address immediate squad deficiencies but also to build a foundation for sustained success in the coming seasons.