Sunderland are currently weighing the possibility of securing a last‑minute deal for Manchester City’s experienced winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a strong interest in bringing the 30‑year‑old to the club on a loan basis, especially now that he is entering the final year of his contract with City. While a temporary move is the primary focus, the Sunderland hierarchy is also keeping a permanent transfer on the table as part of a broader strategy to bolster their options on the flanks. In addition to Grealish, Sunderland have been actively pursuing other attacking talents, most notably Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, who is currently plying his trade at Marseille.
The club’s scouting department has identified Paixão as a potential solution to their need for pace and creativity in wide areas, and they have already submitted an initial bid to the French side. This follows a similar attempt by Leeds United last summer, which ultimately fell through when Paixão opted to sign for Marseille instead. Grealish’s recent season was spent on loan at Everton, where he impressed with his dribbling ability and vision.
Everton remain interested in the player, but Sunderland appear determined to outbid any competing offers. Grealish has featured sporadically for Manchester City this term, coming off the bench in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
His limited minutes have been partly due to the club’s recent squad reshuffle. Manchester City have recently off‑loaded two wide‑forward options, Savio and Omar Marmoush, to Tottenham Hotspur.
Savio’s transfer has already been completed, while Marmoush is in the final stages of his move. The departure of these players has left City with a thin selection of natural wingers, a situation made worse by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, who is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
To address the shortfall, City are close to finalising the signing of 22‑year‑old Brazilian forward Allan from Palmeiras, though the deal has yet to be confirmed. They have also been linked with Cody Gakpo from Liverpool as a possible long‑term addition.
At present, Sunderland manager Enzo Maresca’s only senior wide‑area specialists are Antoine Semenyo and the prospective Grealish signing. While versatile players such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have been deployed on the wings in recent matches, they are more commonly used in central roles. This scarcity of dedicated wingers underscores why Sunderland are prioritising the acquisition of a proven wide‑player like Grealish.
Beyond Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo. The player’s release clause stands at £51.4 million, a figure that reflects his rising reputation in the Portuguese league.
The club’s transfer list also includes a range of other targets, both permanent and loan deals, spanning various leagues and price points. Notable names 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 - 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 - Matty Young (Huddersfield) – loan - Bertrand Traoré – released - Niall Huggins – released These listings illustrate Sunderland’s comprehensive approach to rebuilding their squad, combining high‑profile signings with cost‑effective free transfers and loan arrangements. The club’s financial strategy appears to balance immediate needs—such as securing a seasoned winger—to enhance their attacking depth, with longer‑term projects aimed at developing younger talent. In summary, Sunderland’s pursuit of Jack Grealish represents a calculated move to inject experience and quality into their wide‑play options.
The club is simultaneously monitoring several other potential acquisitions, including Igor Paixão and Geny Catamo, to ensure a well‑rounded overhaul of their offensive line‑up. With the transfer window nearing its close, the Black Cats are expected to make decisive offers in the coming days, hoping to secure the players they need to compete effectively in the upcoming season.