Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing Manchester City winger Jack Grealish in the closing stages of the transfer window. The Black Cats have expressed a particular interest in arranging a loan deal for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his contract with City. A temporary move would give Sunderland immediate depth on the flanks while allowing Grealish to gain regular playing time, but the club is also weighing a permanent transfer should the financial and contractual circumstances align.
The pursuit of Grealish forms part of a broader strategy by Sunderland to reinforce their wide areas. In addition to the English international, the club have been monitoring Brazilian forward Igor Paixão, who is currently on the books of Olympique de Marseille. Sunderland have already submitted a bid for Paixão and remain hopeful that the French side, which is looking to raise funds, will accept their offer. Grealish spent the 2023‑24 season on loan at Everton, where he featured regularly and impressed with his ability to drift wide, cut inside and create scoring opportunities.
Everton remain interested in the player, meaning that any move to Sunderland would have to navigate competing offers and the player’s own preferences. 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 cameo appearances underscored City’s limited options on the wings after the departures of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham. Savio’s transfer has already been completed, while Marmoush is in the final stages of his move.
City’s wing‑back and wide‑forward resources have been further depleted by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, which is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks. To address the shortage, the club have identified 22‑year‑old Brazilian Allan from Palmeiras as a potential replacement for Savio, though his transfer has not yet been finalised. Manchester City are also reportedly keeping an eye on Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo as an additional option, but for the moment the senior, natural wide‑players available to manager Pep Guardiola are limited to Antoine Semenyo and Jack Grealish.
While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the flanks, they are primarily used in more central roles. Sunderland’s interest in wide talent does not stop at Grealish and Paixão.
The club have also been in protracted negotiations with Sporting Lisbon over Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, whose release clause stands at roughly £51.4 million. Although that figure is steep for a Championship side, Sunderland’s scouting department believes Catamo’s pace, dribbling ability and eye for goal could transform their attacking dynamics. Beyond the marquee targets, Sunderland have compiled an extensive list of potential signings across various leagues and price points. The list includes: - 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 names illustrate Sunderland’s willingness to explore a mixture of permanent signings, free acquisitions, loan arrangements and even players who have been released from their contracts.
The club’s recruitment policy aims to balance immediate impact with long‑term potential, ensuring that the squad can compete effectively in the Championship while also building a foundation for future Premier League aspirations. If the Grealish loan materialises, Sunderland would gain a player with Premier League experience, technical skill, and a proven ability to influence games from the wing. His presence could also serve as a mentor for younger squad members, offering insights into the demands of top‑flight football. Conversely, a permanent deal would signal Sunderland’s intent to make a bold statement in the market, potentially attracting further high‑profile talent.
The negotiations are ongoing, with Sunderland’s manager, Regís Le Bris, emphasizing the club’s priority to secure a quality winger before the window shuts. Meanwhile, Manchester City continue to assess their own squad depth, weighing the benefits of offloading surplus players against the risk of weakening their attacking options.
Fans of both clubs are closely monitoring the situation, aware that any movement could have ripple effects across the league. Sunderland’s pursuit of Grealish, Paixão, and Catamo underscores a strategic shift toward acquiring players with proven flair and versatility, while City’s focus on younger prospects like Allan and potential big‑name signings such as Gakpo reflects a different set of priorities. As the deadline approaches, the transfer market remains a dynamic landscape where clubs must balance financial prudence with sporting ambition.
Sunderland’s late‑stage interest in Jack Grealish epitomises this delicate dance, and the final outcome will likely shape the club’s trajectory for the upcoming season.