In the wake of Manchester City’s emotional 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on May 20, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium, Jack Grealish took to social media to share a heartfelt farewell to his departing teammate, Kevin De Bruyne, whose final home game marked the end of an era. The match, which bolstered City’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot, was overshadowed by the Belgian maestro’s goodbye, celebrated with a stunning tifo display before kickoff. Grealish, who played just a minute in the win, posted on his Instagram story, “Tonight all about you goat,” accompanied by a salute and blue heart emoji, honoring De Bruyne’s legacy. “Kev, thank you for everything! You was a big reason why I wanted to join this club in the first place, to play with you. It’s been a pleasure. The best player I’ve ever played with for sure! I’m going to miss you around the place. Being my sauna buddy as well,” Grealish added, reflecting on their bond. As De Bruyne prepares to leave when his contract expires this summer, Grealish’s tribute has fueled speculation about his own future, with rumors swirling that the England star could follow his teammate out of the Etihad.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City, which began with a record-breaking £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. A key figure in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, Grealish’s flair and work rate endeared him to fans and manager Pep Guardiola. However, his role has diminished significantly in the 2024-25 season, with only seven Premier League starts and 1,520 minutes played across all competitions—a sharp decline from his 82% game participation in 2022-23. His lone minute against Bournemouth and absence from the pitch in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace on May 17 have intensified calls for his departure. Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, was blunt: “His time’s up at Man City. He has to leave.” Wayne Rooney echoed this sentiment on BBC’s FA Cup coverage, saying, “If I was Jack Grealish, I’d be really concerned about my future at the football club, not getting on the pitch.”
The FA Cup final snub, where Guardiola opted to debut teenager Claudio Echeverri and bring on Ilkay Gundogan instead of Grealish, left the 29-year-old “hurt,” according to reports. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, who played alongside Grealish at Villa, told BBC Radio 5 Live, “I have a soft spot for Jack Grealish, and the way he is being treated is not on.” Given suggested Grealish could thrive centrally as a De Bruyne replacement, but his limited role under Guardiola, who reportedly “doesn’t like him,” points to an exit. Guardiola himself confirmed that Grealish’s future will be decided this summer, stating, “It’s not [only] Jack. There is not one player in my locker room… that is happy [when they] do not play.” With two years left on his contract, City are open to offers around £38-43 million, a significant loss on their £100 million investment, reflecting Grealish’s 17 goals and 23 assists in 155 appearances.
Speculation about Grealish’s next move is rife. Premier League clubs like Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have shown interest, while Napoli’s pursuit in Serie A faces hurdles due to his “massive” wage demands. A return to Aston Villa is considered a “no-go,” and Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al Hilal, are circling, though Grealish is reportedly reluctant to leave European football. “I think it will be unbelievable,” Grealish said of the upcoming Club World Cup, hinting at his focus on City’s immediate challenges, including a final Premier League match against Fulham on May 25. Despite his upbeat demeanor, the “writing on the wall,” as Given put it, suggests a squad overhaul looms, with Kyle Walker and Ederson also linked to exits. As Grealish bids farewell to De Bruyne, his own Manchester City chapter hangs in the balance, with the summer transfer window poised to define his next step.
# Jack Grealish’s Emotional Farewell to Kevin De Bruyne Signals Uncertain Future at Manchester City
In the wake of Manchester City’s emotional 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on May 20, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium, Jack Grealish took to social media to share a heartfelt farewell to his departing teammate, Kevin De Bruyne, whose final home game marked the end of an era. The match, which bolstered City’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot, was overshadowed by the Belgian maestro’s goodbye, celebrated with a stunning tifo display before kickoff. Grealish, who played just a minute in the win, posted on his Instagram story, “Tonight all about you goat,” accompanied by a salute and blue heart emoji, honoring De Bruyne’s legacy. “Kev, thank you for everything! You was a big reason why I wanted to join this club in the first place, to play with you. It’s been a pleasure. The best player I’ve ever played with for sure! I’m going to miss you around the place. Being my sauna buddy as well,” Grealish added, reflecting on their bond. As De Bruyne prepares to leave when his contract expires this summer, Grealish’s tribute has fueled speculation about his own future, with rumors swirling that the England star could follow his teammate out of the Etihad.
Grealish’s journey at Manchester City, which began with a record-breaking £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. A key figure in City’s 2023 treble-winning campaign, which included the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, Grealish’s flair and work rate endeared him to fans and manager Pep Guardiola. However, his role has diminished significantly in the 2024-25 season, with only seven Premier League starts and 1,520 minutes played across all competitions—a sharp decline from his 82% game participation in 2022-23. His lone minute against Bournemouth and absence from the pitch in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace on May 17 have intensified calls for his departure. Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, was blunt: “His time’s up at Man City. He has to leave.” Wayne Rooney echoed this sentiment on BBC’s FA Cup coverage, saying, “If I was Jack Grealish, I’d be really concerned about my future at the football club, not getting on the pitch.”
The FA Cup final snub, where Guardiola opted to debut teenager Claudio Echeverri and bring on Ilkay Gundogan instead of Grealish, left the 29-year-old “hurt,” according to reports. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, who played alongside Grealish at Villa, told BBC Radio 5 Live, “I have a soft spot for Jack Grealish, and the way he is being treated is not on.” Given suggested Grealish could thrive centrally as a De Bruyne replacement, but his limited role under Guardiola, who reportedly “doesn’t like him,” points to an exit. Guardiola himself confirmed that Grealish’s future will be decided this summer, stating, “It’s not [only] Jack. There is not one player in my locker room… that is happy [when they] do not play.” With two years left on his contract, City are open to offers around £38-43 million, a significant loss on their £100 million investment, reflecting Grealish’s 17 goals and 23 assists in 155 appearances.
Speculation about Grealish’s next move is rife. Premier League clubs like Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have shown interest, while Napoli’s pursuit in Serie A faces hurdles due to his “massive” wage demands. A return to Aston Villa is considered a “no-go,” and Saudi Pro League clubs, including Al Hilal, are circling, though Grealish is reportedly reluctant to leave European football. “I think it will be unbelievable,” Grealish said of the upcoming Club World Cup, hinting at his focus on City’s immediate challenges, including a final Premier League match against Fulham on May 25. Despite his upbeat demeanor, the “writing on the wall,” as Given put it, suggests a squad overhaul looms, with Kyle Walker and Ederson also linked to exits. As Grealish bids farewell to De Bruyne, his own Manchester City chapter hangs in the balance, with the summer transfer window poised to define his next step.
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