Full Breakdown
Manchester City’s Summer Off-load: Sunderland’s Grealish Loan Bid and Tottenham’s Marmoush Deal
8/26/2026, 8:10:38 PM
Core Event
Sunderland have submitted a season-long loan offer for England winger Jack Grealish, with an option to make the move permanent when his Manchester City contract expires next summer. The proposal asks City to cover part of Grealish’s salary. At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to take Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush on loan from City, with an obligation to buy that will trigger next summer.
Background & Context
Grealish, 30, joined City from Aston Villa in 2019 for £100 million. After a regular role in the 2022-23 treble-winning side, injuries limited him to ten Premier League starts the following season and only seven league starts in 2024-25. He spent 2025-26 on loan at Everton, scoring two goals and providing six assists in 22 appearances before a foot stress fracture ended his season. New manager Enzo Maresca has used Grealish sparingly, bringing him on as a substitute in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal on August 16 and for eight minutes of the opening Premier League win over Bournemouth.
Marmoush, 27, arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for a fee reported between €70 million and €75 million (£59-£63 million). He made eight Premier League starts and 13 substitute appearances last season, scoring eight goals in 36 total matches. With Erling Haaland entrenched as City’s No 9, Marmoush fell down the pecking order and was largely used as a backup.
Both players are now being moved as City reshapes its attacking roster, having already sold winger Savío to Tottenham and signed several new midfielders and defenders.
Data & Statistics
- Jack Grealish: 30; 159 City appearances; 2 goals and 6 assists in 2025-26 before injury; £100 million fee.
- Omar Marmoush: 27; 8 goals in 36 appearances last season; loan fee includes a guaranteed £50 million obligation plus £10 million in add-ons (Guardian) or a £60 million obligation.
- Sunderland: Competing in the Europa League; have added full-backs Thomas Meunier and Dayann Methalie, and midfielder Jules Ahoka.
- Tottenham: Already spent over £312 million this summer, including Savío for an initial £75 million fee.
Official Statements & Responses
David Ornstein reported that Sunderland’s offer asks City to contribute to Grealish’s wages and includes a permanent-transfer clause for next summer. Pep Guardiola previously described Grealish’s omission from the Club World Cup squad as “nothing personal.” City’s handling of Marmoush’s loan includes no sell-on fee to Eintracht Frankfurt, contrary to earlier speculation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total financial commitment for Marmoush’s permanent transfer: The Guardian cites a £50 million guaranteed fee with £10 million in add-ons, whereas the BBC reports a £60 million obligation.
What’s Next
- Manchester City must decide whether to accept Sunderland’s salary-sharing terms and finalize the Grealish loan.
- Sunderland will continue negotiations for Igor Paixão as a complementary attacking option.
- Omar Marmoush is scheduled to undergo a medical with Tottenham; completion of the loan will trigger the purchase obligation next summer.
- The transfer deadline approaches, and both clubs will monitor the outcomes as they shape their squads for the upcoming season.
