Sunderland make loan approach for Jack Grealish as Man City weigh up exit

Sunderland have offered to sign Manchester City winger Jack Grealish on a season-long loan, The Athletic reports, with the 30-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium increasingly uncertain as the transfer window approaches its September 1 deadline.

The Championship-turned-Europa League side are said to have put forward a proposal that would see the North East club cover a portion of Grealish’s wages, along with the possibility of a permanent move when his contract expires next summer. City are reportedly willing to sanction his departure.

Grealish spent last season on loan at Everton in an attempt to reignite his Premier League career after struggling for consistent minutes under Pep Guardiola. The Toffees declined to trigger the £50m buyout clause in the loan agreement, however, after an ankle injury cut short what had been a promising spell at Goodison Park.

The England international returned to Manchester this summer and has featured for City, coming on as a second-half substitute in their comeback win over Bournemouth on the Premier League’s opening weekend. His long-term place in Enzo Maresca’s plans, though, remains unclear.

City have overseen a significant squad overhaul this summer. John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, James Trafford, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Savio and Nico Gonzalez have all moved on, while Omar Marmoush is reported to be close to joining Tottenham Hotspur on an initial loan-to-buy arrangement.

Maresca offered a measured assessment of Grealish’s situation when asked about his future. “He is here and it is my duty to coach Jack and to try to get the best,” the City head coach said. “Then it is one more week to go and we will see what happens. Not only with Jack but also other players.”

With six days remaining in the window, Grealish faces a pivotal decision over whether to drop into the Championship with a club competing in European football, or remain at City and fight for a role under Maresca.