Jermaine Jenas, the former Tottenham midfielder turned pundit, has claimed that Jack Grealish “won’t be happy” about Manchester City’s reported pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s star winger Florian Wirtz, a potential signing that could further jeopardize Grealish’s already precarious position in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on May 14, 2025, Jenas suggested that the 21-year-old German phenom’s arrival would intensify competition for attacking spots, potentially pushing Grealish closer to the exit door amid ongoing transfer speculation.
Wirtz, valued at €120 million by Leverkusen, has been linked with City as part of a summer rebuild, with *The Daily Mail* reporting on May 9, 2025, that Guardiola sees him as a key target to bolster the attacking midfield. Wirtz’s 2024-25 season stats—14 goals and 18 assists in 34 Bundesliga matches, per *FotMob*—highlight his versatility as a No. 10 or winger, roles Grealish has struggled to lock down. Grealish, 29, has had a lackluster campaign, with one Premier League goal in 19 appearances and only seven starts, overshadowed by Savinho’s emergence and Jeremy Doku’s flair. His £300,000-a-week wages and limited minutes have fueled rumors of a move to clubs like Tottenham, Newcastle, or Napoli, though City reportedly rejected a loan exit, per *BBC Sport
Jenas argued that Wirtz’s potential signing could “squeeze Grealish out,” noting, “Jack’s not getting the minutes he wants, and a player like Wirtz coming in would make it even tougher. He won’t be happy sitting on the bench.” Fans on X echoed this sentiment, with one post stating, “Grealish’s days at City are numbered if Wirtz joins—too much talent ahead of him.” However, some defend Grealish’s value, citing his emotional Leicester goal dedicated to his late brother Keelan on April 2, 2025, and his role in City’s 2023 treble.
City’s interest in Wirtz, also pursued by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, aligns with their need to refresh an aging squad, with Kevin De Bruyne’s future uncertain. *FootballInsider247* reported on May 10, 2025, that Grealish remains upbeat despite transfer talk, but Jenas’s warning underscores the pressure he faces to prove his worth before the summer window, especially with City’s Champions League aspirations and a looming Club World Cup.[](https://www.footballinsider247.com/jack-grealish-sends-two-word-message-amid-man-city-fall-out-claim/)
Word count: 400
