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Sunderland have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Jack Grealish after putting forward a loan proposal to Manchester City for the England international. The Black Cats are aiming to complete a marquee signing as they gear up for a tough season that also includes a return to European competition.

A bold swoop from the Black Cats

According to The Athletic, Sunderland have formally shown interest in Grealish by submitting an ambitious loan offer to Manchester City for the 30-year-old winger. The proposal from the Stadium of Light leadership includes a structure under which City would continue to pay a sizeable part of Grealish's hefty weekly wages. The reported deal also contains a clause that would allow the North East side to make the transfer permanent next summer, at the same time as his current contract at the Etihad Stadium expires.

The move would mark a major turn in Grealish's career as he looks for regular first-team football after a difficult spell. The former Aston Villa captain spent the whole of last season on loan at Everton, where he recorded two goals and six assists in 22 appearances under David Moyes before a stress fracture in his foot in January brought his campaign to an early end. Everton had an option to sign the England international permanently for a fee of around £50m, but the Toffees eventually chose not to activate it.

Building a squad for Europe

Regis Le Bris wants to bring top-level experience into his squad as Sunderland prepare to play in this season's Europa League. Their chase for Grealish forms part of a wider recruitment plan that also includes Marseille winger Igor Paixao. Personal terms with the 26-year-old Brazilian, who scored 12 goals in Ligue 1 last season, are not expected to be a problem, although an agreement between the two clubs has still not been reached.

So far this summer, the Black Cats have been busy in the transfer market to make sure they have the squad depth needed for continental competition. The club have already completed deals for experienced full-back Thomas Meunier and young defender Dayann Methalie, while midfielder Jules Ahoka has also arrived to add more options in the centre of the pitch.

City ready to move on

Manchester City's readiness to consider offers for their former record signing has been evident for some time. Reports in June indicated that the Premier League champions were willing to let him leave either on loan or in a permanent transfer. The England international initially joined the Etihad Stadium club in a record £100m move from Aston Villa and has since made 159 appearances in all competitions for City.

The 30-year-old has come off the bench in both of City's opening matches this season, appearing in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal before making another second-half outing in Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth.

The decline of a Treble hero

It marks a dramatic shift for a player who was central to City's historic Treble-winning season in 2022-23. In that campaign, Grealish was a regular on the left flank and made 50 appearances as the club won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

By the 2024-25 season, his involvement had reduced even more, with only seven league starts. Matters hit a low when he was left out of the matchday squad for the final game of the season against Fulham. At the time, Pep Guardiola said the decision was 'nothing personal', but Grealish was later also left out of the squad for the Club World Cup.