Jack Grealish in Talks with Sunderland for Loan Move

Sunderland have opened talks with Manchester City over a loan move for Jack Grealish, with an option to buy at the end of the season, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

The proposed deal would run into next year, when the midfielder’s contract at the Etihad is due to expire. Part of the discussions centres on money: Sunderland want City to keep paying a chunk of his wages to make the move viable.

This is not a bolt from the blue. Grealish has been expected to leave City for some time, either temporarily or for good. Under Enzo Maresca, his role has shrunk to the margins. The new City boss has barely used him, turning to the 28-year-old only in the Community Shield against Arsenal and in the home league match against Bournemouth.

From marquee signing to expendable option – the shift has been stark.

City paid a huge €117 million fee to prise Grealish away from Aston Villa in 2021, a transfer that symbolised their financial muscle and ambition. He responded by stacking his medal collection: multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2023. Across all competitions, he has pulled on the City shirt 159 times.

But the trend has been clear. His minutes have ebbed away season by season. Pep Guardiola repeatedly stressed his selections were not a personal slight on Grealish, yet the team sheet told its own story.

Last season, City sent him to Everton on loan. On Merseyside he showed flashes of the old rhythm, contributing two goals and six assists in 22 appearances. Just as he seemed to be knitting into their attack, his campaign was cut short by a stress fracture in his foot in January, forcing him into a long spell of rehabilitation.

Now Sunderland are trying to position themselves as the club that revives him.

The Black Cats are not stopping at Grealish either. According to Sky Sports, they are also pushing to sign Igor Paixão from Olympique Marseille and have already lodged a bid for the Brazilian.

If Sunderland can land both targets, they will not just be adding names. They will be ripping up expectations for what their season can become.