Man City: Grealish ‘tells friends’ transfer ‘bombshell’ with huge claim on Guardiola’s treatment
Jack Grealish has reportedly shared a shocking revelation with close friends, claiming he feels “frozen out” by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, fueling speculation about a potential transfer away from the club in the summer of 2025. According to Football Insider, cited by Football365.com on May 22, 2025, Grealish’s frustration stems from his limited playing time, highlighted by his omission from the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17, where Guardiola opted to bring on debutant Claudio Echeverri and Ilkay Gundogan instead of the £100 million winger during a 1-0 loss. Grealish, who has started only seven Premier League matches this season and played just one minute across City’s last four games, believes Guardiola’s treatment signals the end of his tenure at the Etihad.[](https://www.football365.com/news/man-city-grealish-tells-friends-transfer-bombshell-four-word-statement-guardiola-treatment)
The 29-year-old’s market value has reportedly dropped to £38-43 million, with Manchester City open to a permanent transfer or loan, though they are reluctant to let him join a top-five Premier League rival like Newcastle United, per SportsMole. Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer amplified the sentiment on *The Rest is Football* podcast, stating, “For whatever reason, Pep’s done with him, he doesn’t like him, his time is up.” Grealish’s camp is reportedly hurt by the FA Cup snub, with the player telling friends he feels sidelined despite his contributions to City’s six Premier League titles and 2023 Champions League triumph.[](https://www.football365.com/news/man-city-grealish-tells-friends-transfer-bombshell-four-word-statement-guardiola-treatment)
Guardiola addressed the situation post-final, expressing sympathy but deferring decisions to the club’s hierarchy, saying, “These things belong to the agents, the club, and Sheikh,” and noting, “Nobody is happy when they don’t play.” Posts on X reflect divided fan reactions, with @TrueGrassroot slamming Guardiola’s treatment as a “complete disgrace,” while others, like @City_HQs, highlight the complexity of squad dynamics. Grealish’s openness to a move, potentially to Newcastle or Tottenham, aligns with his need for regular minutes to revive his England career, which has stalled under Thomas Tuchel. With two years left on his contract, Grealish’s bombshell claim underscores a critical juncture, with City’s incoming director Hugo Viana set to shape his future.
