Sunderland are actively investigating the possibility of securing a late‑season deal for Manchester City’s dynamic winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a clear interest in arranging a loan move for the 30‑year‑old, who is currently entering the final year of his contract with the Citizens. While a temporary arrangement is at the forefront of their plans, the club is also weighing the option of a permanent transfer, aiming to bolster their options on the flanks as part of a broader push to improve squad depth.
In parallel with the Grealish pursuit, Sunderland are also targeting Brazilian forward Igor Paixao, who is currently plying his trade at Olympique de Marseille. The club’s scouting department has identified Paixao as a high‑potential addition, and a formal bid was reportedly submitted earlier this week. This interest follows a previous attempt by Leeds United to sign the player last summer, which ultimately fell through when Paixao opted for a move to France.
Grealish’s recent season was spent on loan at Everton, where he showcased his ability to influence games from wide positions. Everton remain keen on retaining his services, but Sunderland believe they can present a compelling project that includes regular first‑team football and a pivotal role in a side looking to climb the Championship table. Grealish has also featured for Manchester City this season, albeit primarily as a substitute. He appeared in City’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal and was on the bench for the Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Manchester City’s own squad situation has become increasingly fluid. The club have recently completed the sale of Savio to Tottenham Hotspur, and Omar Marmoush is in the final stages of a similar deal. These departures have left City with limited depth in the wide‑forward positions, a problem compounded by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, who is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks. In response, City are poised to sign 22‑year‑old Brazilian talent Allan from Palmeiras as a direct replacement for Savio, though the transfer has yet to be finalized.
Additionally, Manchester City have shown interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo as a potential reinforcement, indicating that their recruitment strategy remains aggressive despite the current shortages. At present, Sunderland manager Enzo Maresca’s only senior specialists for pure wing play are Antoine Semenyo and the prospective Grealish signing.
While versatile players such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have been deployed on the flanks in recent matches, their natural positions are more central, leaving a genuine need for a dedicated wide‑area attacker. This tactical gap underscores why Sunderland are prioritising a winger in their transfer agenda. Beyond Grealish and Paixao, Sunderland have been engaged in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo. Catamo carries a substantial release clause of £51.4 million at the Portuguese club, reflecting his perceived value and potential.
The Black Cats are also monitoring a series of other targets across Europe, ranging from promising youngsters to experienced free agents. Notable names on their 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 listings illustrate Sunderland’s comprehensive approach to squad building, combining high‑profile purchases with strategic loans and free‑signings to address multiple areas of need.
The club’s financial strategy appears to balance ambition with prudence, targeting both immediate impact players and long‑term prospects. The broader context of the transfer window sees Manchester City attempting to plug gaps left by outgoing talent while Sunderland aim to capitalize on market opportunities to enhance their competitive edge. As negotiations progress, Sunderland’s priority remains clear: secure a quality winger—ideally Jack Grealish—to provide creativity, width, and experience on the pitch.
Simultaneously, they will continue to push for Igor Paixao’s acquisition, hoping to add another attacking dimension to their roster. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments through the Transfer Centre LIVE app, which offers real‑time headlines, Premier League ins and outs, and streaming options without contractual commitments. The dynamic nature of the market means that both clubs may see further movement in the coming weeks, with potential surprises as deals are finalized and new targets emerge.
In summary, Sunderland’s late‑season maneuvering underscores a determined effort to reinforce their flanks, with Jack Grealish at the centre of their plans, complemented by a broader scouting net that includes Igor Paixao, Geny Catamo, and a host of other players across Europe. The club’s strategic blend of loans, free transfers, and selective purchases reflects a nuanced approach to building a squad capable of achieving its objectives for the upcoming season.