Sunderland are currently weighing the possibility of securing a late-season deal for Manchester City’s versatile winger Jack Grealish. The Black Cats have expressed a particular 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 at the forefront of their strategy, the club is also keeping the door open for a permanent transfer should the circumstances prove favourable.
Strengthening the flanks remains a priority for Sunderland, and they are simultaneously pursuing Brazilian forward Igor Paixao from Olympique de Marseille as part of a broader effort to add depth and quality to their wide‑area options. Grealish spent the previous campaign on loan at Everton, where he showcased his ability to influence games from the wing and contributed several key moments. Everton remain interested in the player, indicating that Sunderland will likely face competition if they move forward with their pursuit.
In recent weeks Grealish has featured off the bench for Manchester City, appearing in the club’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal and in the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Those cameo appearances suggest that City still value his experience, but they also highlight the limited opportunities he currently enjoys.
Manchester City have recently seen the departure of two wide‑forward options, Savio and Omar Marmoush, both of whom have agreed to moves to Tottenham Hotspur. Savio’s transfer has already been completed, while Marmoush is in the final stages of his paperwork. The exits have left Pep Guardiola’s side with a thinner selection pool on the flanks, a situation that has been further aggravated by a short‑term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, who is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
In response, City have begun scouting potential replacements, including the 22‑year‑old Brazilian talent Allan from Palmeiras, although his transfer has yet to be finalised. The club is also reportedly monitoring Cody Gakpo at Liverpool as part of a longer‑term plan to reinforce their attacking breadth. At present, Sunderland manager Enzo Maresca’s only senior, natural wide players are Antoine Semenyo and the aforementioned Grealish.
While Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have occasionally been deployed on the wings, they are more commonly used in central attacking roles, leaving a genuine need for a specialist winger in Sunderland’s squad. The club’s urgency is underscored by their ongoing negotiations with Marseille for Paixao. Regís Le Bris’ side have shown firm intent, having submitted a bid for the Brazilian earlier in the week. Leeds United had attempted to sign Paixao last summer, but he ultimately chose Marseille, leaving a window of opportunity for Sunderland to act now.
Marseille’s financial situation adds another layer of complexity; the French club is looking to raise funds, making them more receptive to offers for their valuable assets. Sunderland’s top priority, however, remains the acquisition of a proven winger who can immediately impact their attacking play. In parallel, the Black Cats have been in prolonged discussions with Sporting Lisbon regarding Mozambican winger Geny Catamo, who carries a hefty release clause of £51.4 million at his current club.
While Catamo represents a long‑term investment, the immediate focus appears to be on securing a player like Grealish or Paixao to bolster the squad for the upcoming season. The transfer window also features a litany of other potential moves and rumors involving Sunderland.
Names such as Dayann Methalie from Toulouse (£25.7 million), Jules Ahoka from Royal Antwerp (£8 million), and Thomas Meunier from Lille on a free transfer have surfaced, though these remain speculative. Additional free‑transfer targets include Ethan Berry (Crystal Palace), Adam Nelson (Glentoran), Eleizer Mayenda (Rennes, £22 million), Anthony Patterson (Wrexham, £10 million), and several others across the lower leagues and abroad. Loan options like Milan Aleksic from Partizan Belgrade and Matty Young from Huddersfield have also been mentioned, alongside players released from contracts such as Bertrand Traoré and Niall Huggins.
Overall, Sunderland’s transfer strategy reflects a dual approach: securing an experienced, high‑profile winger to address an immediate tactical need while also exploring a range of other signings to build squad depth across the board. The club’s leadership appears determined to act swiftly, particularly given the competitive interest from other Premier League sides and the limited window for negotiations. If Sunderland can finalize a deal for Grealish—whether on loan or permanently—and complement him with the acquisition of Paixao, they would significantly enhance their attacking options and potentially set the stage for a more competitive campaign in the upcoming season.