Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing a last‑minute agreement for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a strong 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.
In addition to a temporary deal, Sunderland are also weighing the option of a permanent transfer, aiming to bolster their options on the flanks as they look to improve squad depth. The club’s scouting network has also turned its attention to Igor Paixao, the Brazilian forward currently plying his trade at Olympique de Marseille.
Sunderland have submitted a bid for the talented attacker and are hoping to out‑maneuver competing suitors to bring him to the Stadium of Light. Grealish spent the previous season on loan at Everton, where he featured regularly and impressed with his dribbling and creativity.
Everton remain interested in the player, but Sunderland believe they can offer a more prominent role. Grealish’s recent appearances for City have been limited; he came off the bench in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and was used as a substitute in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Manchester City have recently seen a reshuffle in their wide‑player department. Both Savio and Omar Marmoush have been sold to Tottenham Hotspur – Savio’s deal is now complete, while Marmoush is in the final stages of his move. This departure has left City with a thin selection of wide‑forward options, a situation compounded by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku that is expected to sideline him for two to three weeks. To address the shortage, City are preparing to sign 22‑year‑old Brazilian forward Allan from Palmeiras, although his transfer has not yet been finalized.
The club are also monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as a potential addition to their attacking ranks. At present, Enzo Maresca’s side have only two senior, natural wide players available: Antoine Semenyo and Jack Grealish. While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more commonly used in central positions. Sunderland’s pursuit of Paixao is part of a broader recruitment drive.
Regís Le Bris’s side have shown firm interest in the Brazilian, having placed a bid earlier in the week. Leeds United attempted to sign Paixao last summer, but the player ultimately chose Marseille. Sunderland’s negotiations continue, with Marseille reportedly needing to raise funds and Sunderland prioritising the acquisition of a quality winger. The Black Cats have also been in prolonged discussions with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, who carries a release clause of £51.4m at the Portuguese club.
In addition, Sunderland’s scouting reports list several other targets across Europe, ranging from promising youngsters to experienced free agents, illustrating the club’s ambition to refresh the squad ahead of the upcoming season. Potential signings include: - Dayann Methalie (Toulouse) – estimated fee £25.7m - Jules Ahoka (Royal Antwerp) – around £8m - Thomas Meunier (Lille) – free transfer - Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace) – free transfer - Adam Nelson (Glentoran) – free transfer - Eleizer Mayenda (Rennes) – approximately £22m - Anthony Patterson (Wrexham) – about £10m - Ahmed Abdullahi (Eyüpspor) – undisclosed fee - Harrison Jones (Peterborough) – undisclosed fee - Zak Johnson (York) – undisclosed fee - Nazariy Rusyn (Karpaty Lviv) – undisclosed fee - Timothée Pembele (Le Havre) – undisclosed fee - Dennis Cirkin (QPR) – free transfer - Oliver Bainbridge (Boreham Wood) – free transfer - Tom Lavery (Gateshead) – free transfer - Dan Neil (Rangers) – free transfer - Rhys Walsh (Glentoran) – free transfer - Milan Aleksic (Partizan Belgrade) – loan deal - Matty Young (Huddersfield) – loan deal - Bertrand Traoré – released - Niall Huggins – released These names reflect Sunderland’s strategy of combining experienced professionals with youthful prospects, aiming to create a balanced squad capable of competing in the Championship and potentially challenging for promotion.
The club’s recruitment team is also monitoring market conditions closely, as they seek to maximise value while adhering to financial constraints. Beyond player acquisitions, Sunderland are investing in their scouting infrastructure and analytics department to identify undervalued talent across Europe, South America, and Africa. The club’s technical director has emphasized the importance of finding players who fit the team’s high‑pressing, possession‑based style, and who possess the versatility to operate on either flank.
In summary, Sunderland’s late‑stage interest in Jack Grealish, coupled with their pursuit of Igor Paixao and a host of other targets, underscores a proactive approach to squad building. The club aims to address the immediate need for quality wingers while also laying the groundwork for long‑term success. As transfer negotiations progress, fans can expect further updates on potential signings and the overall direction of the squad heading into the new campaign.