Sunderland weigh late bid for Jack Grealish as wide options dwindle

Sunderland are exploring a late bid for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, with the club keen to secure the 30-year-old on a loan deal to strengthen their wide areas. Although a permanent transfer remains under consideration, the immediate priority for the Black Cats is to address a shortage of out-and-out wide options in their squad.

Grealish enters the final year of his contract with Manchester City and spent the previous season on loan at Everton, who remain interested in bringing him back. His availability has been limited recently, as he was used only as a substitute in City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and their Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

The move is driven by Manchester City’s reduced depth in wide forward positions following the sales of Savio and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham. Savio has completed his move, while Marmoush is in the process of doing so. This exodus has been exacerbated by a short-term calf injury to Jeremy Doku, which will keep him out for two to three weeks.

Manager Enzo Maresca currently has only Antoine Semenyo and Grealish as senior out-and-out wide options, with Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki often deployed centrally. City are set to sign 22-year-old Brazilian Allan from Palmeiras as a replacement for Savio, though the move is not yet complete, and they are also interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

Sunderland’s interest in Grealish comes as they pursue other targets to bolster their attack. The club has submitted a bid for Marseille striker Igor Paixao, a player Leeds United tried to sign last summer. Regis Le Bris’ side has firm interest in the Brazilian, with talks continuing as Marseille seeks to raise funds.

Additionally, Sunderland have been in talks with Sporting Lisbon for Mozambique winger Geny Catamo, who has a release clause of £51.4m. The club has also completed the signings of Harrison Jones from Peterborough and Nazariy Rusyn from Karpaty Lviv for undisclosed fees.