Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing a late‑season deal for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a strong preference for a loan arrangement for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his current contract with the Citizens. At the same time, the club is not ruling out a permanent transfer, as they aim to bolster the quality and depth of their wide‑area options.
The interest in Grealish comes amid a broader recruitment drive that also sees Sunderland targeting Brazilian forward Igor Paixão from Olympique de Marseille. Both players are seen as potential game‑changing additions that could lift the team’s attacking dynamism and provide a fresh impetus for the upcoming campaign.
Grealish spent the 2023‑24 season on loan at Everton, where he showcased his ability to drift wide, cut inside and create scoring opportunities. Everton remain interested in retaining his services, but Sunderland believe they can present a compelling project that includes regular first‑team football and a clear role in the club’s long‑term plans. In recent weeks, Grealish has featured as a substitute for Manchester City in two high‑profile fixtures: the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Those brief appearances highlighted his continued relevance at the highest level, even as City’s squad composition undergoes significant change.
Manchester City have recently seen the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush, both of whom have completed moves to Tottenham Hotspur. The exit of those two wide‑forward options has left a noticeable gap in Pep Guardiola’s attacking roster, a situation that has been further aggravated by a short‑term calf injury suffered by Jeremy Doku. The injury is expected to sideline Doku for two to three weeks, reducing City’s immediate depth on the flanks. To address the shortfall, City are reportedly close to signing 22‑year‑old Brazilian winger Allan from Palmeiras, although the paperwork has yet to be finalised.
In addition, the club has shown interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo as part of a broader strategy to reinforce the wide‑area positions. For the moment, however, Enzo Maresca’s options on the wings are limited to Antoine Semenyo and the potential arrival of Grealish. While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more frequently used in central roles. Sunderland’s pursuit of Igor Paixão mirrors their desire to secure a versatile attacker capable of operating across the front line.
The club’s scouting department has submitted an early‑week bid for the Brazilian, who chose Marseille over a previous approach from Leeds United last summer. Marseille are currently looking to raise funds, and a sale to Sunderland would satisfy both parties’ financial and sporting objectives.
Beyond Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have also been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo. Catamo’s release clause stands at £51.4 million, a figure that reflects his potential value but also underscores Sunderland’s willingness to invest in high‑calibre talent if the price can be met. The club’s transfer list includes a mixture of free transfers, modest fees and loan deals, indicating a flexible approach to squad building.
Notable names on the radar include: - Dayann Methalie (Toulouse) – £25.7 million - Jules Ahoka (Royal Antwerp) – £8 million - Thomas Meunier (Lille) – free - Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace) – free - Adam Nelson (Glentoran) – free - Eleizer Mayenda (Rennes) – £22 million - Anthony Patterson (Wrexham) – £10 million - Ahmed Abdullahi (Eyupspor) – undisclosed - Harrison Jones (Peterborough) – undisclosed - Zak Johnson (York) – undisclosed - Nazariy Rusyn (Karpaty Lviv) – undisclosed - Timothée Pembele (Le Havre) – undisclosed - Dennis Cirkin (QPR) – free - Oliver Bainbridge (Boreham Wood) – free - Tom Lavery (Gateshead) – free - Dan Neil (Rangers) – free - Rhys Walsh (Glentoran) – free - Milan Aleksic (Partizan Belgrade) – loan - Matty Young (Huddersfield) – loan - Bertrand Traoré – released - Niall Huggins – released These targets illustrate Sunderland’s intent to blend experienced professionals with promising youngsters, creating a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The club’s recruitment strategy emphasizes flexibility, with a willingness to secure players on loan, free transfers or modest fees, while also being prepared to meet larger financial commitments for marquee signings such as Grealish.
If Sunderland succeed in acquiring Grealish, either on loan or permanently, they would add a player with Premier League pedigree, a proven record of creating chances, and the ability to draw defenders out of position with his dribbling and vision. Coupled with the potential arrival of Paixão and other incoming talent, the Black Cats could significantly upgrade their attacking options, offering fans an exciting brand of football and giving the manager a richer palette of tactical choices.
The transfer window remains open, and negotiations are ongoing. Sunderland’s priority is clear: secure a high‑impact winger who can immediately contribute to the team’s objectives while also fitting into the club’s longer‑term vision. Whether that player is Jack Grealish, Igor Paixão, or another emerging talent, the club is determined to act swiftly and decisively to strengthen its squad before the season reaches its critical stages.