Sunderland are currently weighing the possibility of securing a late‑season deal for Manchester City 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 loan is the initial target, the club is also keeping a permanent transfer on the table as part of a broader strategy to bolster the squad’s width and attacking options. The interest in Grealish comes alongside Sunderland's parallel pursuit of Brazilian forward Igor Paixao, who is currently attached to Olympique de Marseille.
Both players are seen as potential game‑changing additions that could lift the team’s performance on the flanks. Grealish spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, where he made a noticeable impact, and the Merseyside side still retain a degree of interest in bringing him back permanently. In recent weeks, Grealish has featured sporadically for Manchester City, appearing as a substitute in the club’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal and in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. City’s wing‑player roster has been thinned after the club agreed to sell Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham Hotspur.
Savio’s transfer has already been completed, and Marmoush’s paperwork is currently being processed. This departure leaves City with limited depth in the wide‑forward positions, a situation further aggravated by a short‑term calf injury suffered by Jeremy Doku, which is expected to keep him sidelined for two to three weeks. To address the shortage, City are reportedly close to signing 22‑year‑old Brazilian talent Allan from Palmeiras, although his move has not yet been finalized.
Additionally, the club has shown interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo as a potential long‑term solution. At present, manager Enzo Maresca’s senior wide‑area options at City consist mainly of Antoine Semenyo and Grealish, with Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki often deployed in more central roles despite occasional appearances on the wing. Sunderland’s pursuit of Paixao is equally determined. Regís Le Bris’s side have submitted a bid for the Brazilian striker earlier this week, following a failed attempt by Leeds United to sign him last summer when he ultimately chose Marseille.
Sunderland’s priority remains the acquisition of a quality winger, and the club hopes that a successful transfer fee for Paixao will provide the necessary funds to make that happen. The French club, meanwhile, is eager to raise cash, making the negotiation process potentially smoother. Beyond Grealish and Paixao, Sunderland have been in prolonged discussions with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo, who carries a hefty release clause of £51.4m.
The club’s scouting network has also identified several other targets across Europe, ranging from promising youngsters to experienced free agents. Notable names on Sunderland’s radar include: - Dayann Methalie (Toulouse) – valued at £25.7m - Jules Ahoka (Royal Antwerp) – £8m - Thomas Meunier (Lille) – free transfer - Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace) – free transfer - Adam Nelson (Glentoran) – free transfer - Eleizer Mayenda (Rennes) – £22m - Anthony Patterson (Wrexham) – £10m - 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 signings illustrate Sunderland’s comprehensive approach to rebuilding the squad, combining immediate impact players with long‑term prospects. The club’s recruitment strategy aims to address weaknesses on the wings, add depth to the midfield, and inject fresh talent into the defensive line, all while maintaining financial prudence. In parallel with the transfer activity, Sunderland continue to engage fans through digital platforms, promoting the Transfer Centre LIVE app for real‑time updates, and offering various interactive experiences such as the Premier League headlines feed and streaming options without contractual commitments.
The club also runs promotional campaigns, including a Super 6 competition that gives participants a chance to win £1m at no cost. Overall, Sunderland’s pursuit of Jack Grealish, Igor Paixao, and a host of other players signals an ambitious summer window.
By securing a high‑profile winger like Grealish—whether on loan or permanently—the Black Cats hope to add creativity, experience, and a proven goal‑scoring threat to their attacking arsenal. Coupled with strategic acquisitions in other positions, the club aims to build a balanced, competitive squad capable of challenging for promotion and establishing a sustainable foundation for future success.