Sunderland are actively weighing the possibility of securing a late‑season deal for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a clear preference for a loan arrangement for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his current contract with the Citizens. Yet, the club is not ruling out a permanent transfer, as they aim to bolster their options on the flanks and add experience to a side that has struggled for width in recent months.
The interest in Grealish comes alongside Sunderland's parallel pursuit of Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, who is currently plying his trade at Olympique de Marseille. Both targets illustrate Sunderland's strategic intent to strengthen the attacking third, particularly in wide areas where depth has been thin. Grealish, who spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, remains on City’s radar, and Everton have also indicated a lingering desire to bring him back permanently.
Grealish’s recent involvement with Manchester City has been limited. He featured as a substitute in City’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal and made a brief appearance in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. The scarcity of playing time is partly a symptom of City’s depleted wing options after the club agreed to transfer Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur. Savio’s move has already been completed, while Marmoush’s paperwork is still in process.
In addition, a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku is expected to sideline the young winger for two to three weeks, further narrowing the pool of available wide‑forward talent for Pep Guardiola’s side. To address these gaps, City are on the verge of signing 22‑year‑old Brazilian forward Allan from Palmeiras, although the transfer has yet to be finalised.
The club is also monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as a potential addition to their attacking ranks. At present, Enzo Maresca’s squad lists only Antoine Semenyo and Jack Grealish as senior, natural‑wide players.
While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more frequently utilised in central roles, underscoring the need for dedicated flank specialists. Sunderland’s pursuit of Igor Paixão reflects a broader ambition to acquire a versatile forward who can operate both as a striker and on the wing.
Sunderland’s management, led by coach Regis Le Bris, submitted a formal bid for the Brazilian earlier this week. The player had previously been linked with Leeds United last summer, but ultimately chose Marseille. Sunderland’s negotiations remain ongoing, as Marseille are reportedly looking to raise funds and are therefore open to offers. In addition to Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have been in protracted talks with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambique winger Geny Catamo.
The Portuguese club has set a release clause of £51.4 million for the 22‑year‑old, a figure that Sunderland would need to meet if they wish to secure his services. The club’s scouting network has also identified several other potential signings across Europe, ranging from established internationals to promising youngsters and free agents. Notable names on Sunderland’s radar include: - Dayann Methalie (Toulouse) – £25.7 million - Jules Ahoka (Royal Antwerp) – £8 million - Thomas Meunier (Lille) – free transfer - Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace) – free transfer - Adam Nelson (Glentoran) – free transfer - Eleizer Mayenda (Rennes) – £22 million - Anthony Patterson (Wrexham) – £10 million - Ahmed Abdullahi (Eyupspor) – undisclosed fee - Harrison Jones (Peterborough) – undisclosed fee - Zak Johnson (York) – undisclosed fee - Nazariy Rusyn (Karpaty Lviv) – undisclosed fee - Timothee 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 potential acquisitions demonstrate Sunderland’s comprehensive approach to squad building, blending experienced professionals with emerging talent to create a balanced roster capable of competing in the Championship and, ultimately, challenging for promotion. The club’s transfer strategy also reflects a pragmatic financial stance, seeking value through free transfers, loan agreements, and targeted purchases rather than splurging on high‑profile signings.
While the negotiations continue, Sunderland supporters can stay updated via the club’s Transfer Centre LIVE app, which provides real‑time headlines, Premier League ins and outs, and streaming options for matches. The club also encourages fans to engage with promotional activities, such as the Super 6 competition, which offers a chance to win £1 million without any entry fee.
In summary, Sunderland’s late‑window activity centers on acquiring Jack Grealish—either on loan or permanently—to address a pressing need for quality wide players, while simultaneously pursuing Igor Paixão and other targets to deepen the squad. The outcome of these talks will shape the Black Cats’ tactical flexibility and depth as they aim to mount a serious promotion challenge in the upcoming season.