26 August 2026

Sunderland have put forward a loan bid to sign Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, with the proposal asking City to pay a portion of his wages and including an option to turn the deal into a permanent transfer next summer when his contract runs out. The offer is now with City.

The 30-year-old has featured as a second-half substitute in City’s opening two matches of the season — the Community Shield loss to Arsenal and Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth.

Sunderland are also trying to sign Marseille winger Igor Paixao. Personal terms with the 26-year-old Brazilian are understood not to be a problem, although the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement.

As they gear up for the Europa League, Sunderland have strengthened Regis le Bris’s squad with the additions of full-backs Thomas Meunier and Dayann Methalie, along with midfielder Jules Ahoka.

City have already sold winger Savio to Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could rise to £85million, and have also agreed a loan move with an obligation to buy for forward Omar Marmoush to join the north London side this summer. It was reported in June that City were open to allowing Grealish to leave either on loan or on a permanent basis.

Grealish spent last season on loan at Everton, where his campaign was cut short by a stress fracture in January. He made 22 appearances under David Moyes, scoring two goals and providing six assists, while Everton chose not to activate an option to buy worth around £50m.