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 strong interest in arranging a loan move for the 30‑year‑old, who is now entering the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues. While a temporary arrangement is the primary focus, the club is also keeping the door open for a permanent transfer should the circumstances align, as they aim to bolster their options on the flanks.
The interest in Grealish comes amid a broader recruitment drive that also sees Sunderland targeting Brazilian forward Igor Paixão from Olympique de Marseille. Grealish, who spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, remains on the radar of the Merseyside side, but Sunderland appear determined to act swiftly to secure his services before any competing bids materialise.
In recent weeks, Grealish has featured sporadically for Manchester City, most notably as a substitute in the club’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and in the opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. Those limited appearances have highlighted the growing shortage of wide‑forward options at City following the departure of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham.
Savio’s move has already been completed, and Marmoush is in the final stages of his transfer, leaving City with a thin roster of players capable of operating on the wings. Compounding the issue, Jeremy Doku has suffered a short‑term calf injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks, further narrowing the pool of available wide attackers. To address the gap, City have identified 22‑year‑old Brazilian prospect Allan from Palmeiras as a potential replacement for Savio, though his transfer is still pending. The club is also monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as part of a longer‑term strategy to reinforce attacking depth.
At present, Enzo Maresca’s Sunderland squad lists only Antoine Semenyo and Jack Grealish as senior, out‑and‑out wide players. While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more frequently utilised in central attacking roles, leaving a genuine need for a specialist winger.
Sunderland’s pursuit of Igor Paixão reflects a parallel ambition to add quality to their forward line. Regís Le Bris’s side have submitted a bid for the Brazilian striker earlier this week, and the club is eager to finalise the deal.
Paixão was previously linked with Leeds United last summer, but he ultimately opted to join Marseille, where he has since impressed with his pace and finishing ability. Marseille, on the other hand, are under pressure to raise funds, making them more receptive to Sunderland’s overtures.
Beyond Grealish and Paixão, Sunderland have been in prolonged negotiations with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo, who carries a hefty release clause of £51.4 million. The club’s scouting network has also identified a number of other targets across Europe, ranging from established internationals to promising youngsters and free‑agents. Some of the names on Sunderland’s 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 - 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 deal - Matty Young (Huddersfield) – loan deal - Bertrand Traoré – released - Niall Huggins – released These potential acquisitions illustrate Sunderland’s comprehensive approach to rebuilding their squad, focusing on a blend of experience, youth, and versatility. The club’s strategic priority remains securing a high‑calibre winger, a role that Grealish could fill perfectly given his proven track record in the Premier League and his ability to both create and finish chances.
Should Sunderland succeed in bringing Grealish to the Stadium of Light, the player would not only add depth but also bring a level of technical proficiency and flair that could elevate the team’s attacking dynamics. His experience at the highest level, including European competition and domestic cup finals, would be invaluable for a side aiming to push for promotion.
In summary, Sunderland’s transfer agenda is ambitious and multi‑faceted. While the pursuit of Jack Grealish stands out as the headline move, the club is simultaneously working to secure Igor Paixão, negotiate for Geny Catamo, and explore a host of other signings that could collectively strengthen the squad across the board.
The coming weeks will be crucial as negotiations progress, bids are refined, and the Black Cats aim to finalize deals that align with their long‑term vision of returning to the Premier League.