Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing a late‑season move for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a strong interest in arranging a loan deal for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his contract with the Citizens. While a temporary arrangement is the immediate focus, the club is also weighing the option of a permanent transfer, aiming to bolster their options on the flanks as they look to improve squad depth ahead of the upcoming campaign.
In addition to Grealish, Sunderland have turned their attention to Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, who is currently plying his trade at Marseille. The club’s scouting network has identified both players as key targets to add quality, creativity and pace to the side’s attacking unit. Paixão, a versatile forward capable of operating on either wing or as a central striker, is seen as a potential long‑term investment, while Grealish would bring Premier League experience and a proven track record at the highest level. Grealish spent the 2023‑24 season on loan at Everton, where he impressed with his dribbling ability, vision and knack for unlocking defenses.
Everton remain interested in retaining the player, but Sunderland appear determined to make a move before the window closes. The winger has featured sparingly for City this season, coming off the bench in the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and in the opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. Those limited appearances underline the fact that he is not currently a first‑team regular at Etihad, making a loan or permanent switch to Sunderland a realistic proposition for all parties.
Manchester City have recently seen two of their wide‑forward options, Savio and Omar Marmoush, depart for Tottenham Hotspur. Savio’s transfer has already been completed, and Marmoush is in the final stages of his move. Their exits have left a noticeable gap in City’s attacking breadth, a situation that has been further compounded by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, which is expected to sideline him for two to three weeks. In response, City have moved quickly to secure a replacement, targeting 22‑year‑old Brazilian Allan from Palmeiras.
Although the deal is still pending, the club is also rumored to be monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as part of a broader strategy to reinforce their wing positions. At present, Sunderland manager Enzo Maresca’s senior wide‑area options are limited to Antoine Semenyo and the potential addition of Grealish. While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more commonly used in central roles, leaving the flanks somewhat under‑served.
The acquisition of a player of Grealish’s calibre would therefore represent a significant upgrade, providing the team with a player capable of both creating and scoring, as well as drawing defensive attention away from other attackers. The pursuit of Igor Paixão has also intensified. Sunderland have already submitted a bid for the Brazilian forward earlier this week, signalling a firm intention to secure his services.
Paixão was previously linked with a move to Leeds United last summer, but he ultimately chose to join Marseille, where he has continued to develop his reputation as a dynamic, goal‑scoring winger. Sunderland’s interest reflects a broader strategy to add depth and competition to the squad’s attacking positions. Beyond Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have been in protracted negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over Mozambican winger Geny Catamo. Catamo’s release clause is set at £51.4 million, a figure that underscores his perceived value and potential impact.
Should Sunderland be able to meet that clause, they would secure a young, highly athletic player with a strong record in both domestic and continental competitions. The club’s transfer list also includes a range of other targets across various leagues and price points, illustrating a comprehensive approach to squad building.
Notable names include Dayann Methalie from Toulouse (£25.7 m), Jules Ahoka from Royal Antwerp (£8 m), and Eleizer Mayenda from Rennes (£22 m). Additionally, several players are available on free transfers, such as Thomas Meunier (Lille), Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace), Adam Nelson (Glentoran), and Dennis Cirkin (QPR). The inclusion of loan options like Milan Aleksic from Partizan Belgrade and Matty Young from Huddersfield further broadens the club’s flexibility in managing wages and squad size.
Sunderland’s transfer strategy appears to be driven by a dual focus: securing immediate impact players who can contribute from day one, while also investing in younger talent with long‑term upside. By targeting both established Premier League veterans like Grealish and promising up‑and‑coming stars such as Paixão and Catamo, the Black Cats aim to create a balanced roster capable of competing on multiple fronts. The club’s management has emphasized the importance of financial prudence, acknowledging that Marseille, for example, needs to raise funds and may be open to negotiations if the right price is offered.
Sunderland’s willingness to explore both loan and permanent arrangements demonstrates flexibility, allowing them to adapt to the evolving market conditions as the transfer window draws to a close. In summary, Sunderland are actively pursuing a late‑season swoop for Jack Grealish, with a loan being the most likely scenario but a permanent deal also on the table. Simultaneously, they are pushing for Igor Paixão and have ongoing talks regarding Geny Catamo, among other targets.
These moves reflect a concerted effort to strengthen the squad’s wide‑area options, address depth concerns, and position the club for a competitive season ahead.