In a dramatic twist to Manchester City’s tumultuous 2024-25 season, manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly made a stunning offer to offload star winger Jack Grealish to Barcelona, personally reaching out to the Catalan giants’ hierarchy to facilitate the transfer. The £100 million England international, once hailed as a cornerstone of City’s attacking flair, has struggled to secure a consistent role under Guardiola, prompting speculation about his future as the club braces for a significant squad rebuild. This move, part of a broader strategy to revitalize a team that finished third in the Premier League and fell short in major competitions, underscores Guardiola’s ruthless approach to restoring City’s dominance.
Grealish, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British record £100 million, has endured a challenging campaign. Limited to just 16 starts across all competitions, the 29-year-old winger has been overshadowed by younger talents and tactical shifts in Guardiola’s system. His seven Premier League starts and modest output of three goals and one assist have fueled doubts about his fit at the Etihad. City’s season, marked by a third-place finish and a crushing FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, has been a far cry from their four consecutive Premier League titles. “I don’t want to put five, six players in the tribune,” Guardiola declared earlier this season, signaling his intent to trim a bloated squad. “If they don’t make a short squad, I will not stay.”
Guardiola’s personal outreach to Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco highlights the urgency of his rebuilding plans. Grealish, with his flair and versatility, was pitched as a potential solution for Barcelona’s attacking needs under new manager Hansi Flick. However, the La Liga giants, focused on nurturing younger talents like Lamine Yamal, have reportedly rebuffed the offer. “Hansi Flick is not interested at all,” a source close to Barcelona noted, emphasizing the club’s reluctance to pursue the high-wage, high-profile signing. Flick’s vision prioritizes dynamic, youthful attackers, and Grealish’s £300,000-per-week salary poses a financial hurdle for a club grappling with economic constraints.
The rejection hasn’t deterred interest in Grealish elsewhere. Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and even a potential return to Aston Villa have emerged as possibilities, with Newcastle reportedly eyeing him to bolster their attack. AC Milan has also expressed serious interest, viewing Grealish as a creative replacement should their star Rafael Leao depart. “Jack Grealish is coming under serious consideration as a target for AC Milan,” an insider revealed, noting the Serie A club’s openness to a loan deal to navigate his hefty wages. Despite these options, Grealish’s camp has remained quiet, with the player focused on proving his worth after being omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad. “The talent in the squad is frightening,” Grealish said of England’s prospects last year, a sentiment that now contrasts with his own uncertain club future.
Guardiola’s willingness to part with Grealish is part of a broader exodus at Manchester City. With Kevin De Bruyne’s contract expiring in 2025 and interest from Saudi Pro League clubs intensifying, the club faces the loss of multiple stalwarts. Mateo Kovacic and Kyle Walker are also linked with moves, while January signings like Abdukodir Khusanov have failed to impress, with Guardiola reportedly regretting the £34 million defender’s acquisition. “He has a special quality,” Guardiola initially praised Khusanov, but the Uzbek’s nine appearances and rumored tensions have led to City offering him back to La Liga clubs, including Barcelona.
City’s struggles—exiting the Champions League to Real Madrid and missing out on the Premier League title to Liverpool—have intensified the need for change. Guardiola’s pursuit of Barcelona’s Dani Olmo, a £84 million-rated attacking midfielder, signals his intent to inject creativity into the squad. “Olmo has appreciation for City’s style of play,” a report noted, though Barcelona’s financial woes could complicate negotiations. The club’s £120 million January spending spree, including signings like Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez, hasn’t fully addressed their issues, prompting Guardiola to prioritize a leaner, hungrier squad for the upcoming Club World Cup and 2025-26 season.
For Grealish, the Barcelona snub is a setback, but his marketability remains high. His flair, once a hallmark of City’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, could still find a home in Europe or the Premier League. As Manchester City navigate this pivotal transfer window, Guardiola’s bold decisions—offering a £100 million star and personally pitching to European giants—reflect a manager determined to reclaim glory, even if it means parting ways with a player once seen as untouchable.
# Pep Guardiola’s Bold Move: Offering Jack Grealish to Barcelona in Manchester City’s Summer Overhaul
## The Offer
On May 27, 2025, Pep Guardiola reportedly offered Jack Grealish to Barcelona, personally contacting president Joan Laporta and Deco to propose the £100 million winger’s transfer. Grealish, with only 16 starts this season, has fallen out of favor at Manchester City, prompting Guardiola to initiate a squad overhaul.
## Grealish’s Struggles
Signed from Aston Villa in 2021 for £100 million, Grealish managed three goals and one assist in 2024-25. “I don’t want to put five, six players in the tribune,” Guardiola said, emphasizing his desire for a leaner squad. Barcelona, however, rebuffed the offer, with Hansi Flick “not interested at all” in the high-wage star.
## Broader Context
City’s third-place Premier League finish and FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace have spurred change. Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, and Kyle Walker face uncertain futures, while January signing Abdukodir Khusanov, initially praised as “special” by Guardiola, is also on the exit list. City eye Barcelona’s Dani Olmo as a £84 million target to replace De Bruyne.
## What’s Next for Grealish
Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and AC Milan are interested, with Milan considering a loan to offset Grealish’s £300,000-per-week wages. “Jack Grealish is coming under serious consideration,” a source noted. As City plan for the Club World Cup, Grealish’s next move will shape his career and City’s rebuild.
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