‘What do you want?’ – Man City’s £100m star loses his rag amid Newcastle United transfer talk

Jack Grealish finds himself at a crossroads after a difficult season at Manchester City, where he struggled to establish a consistent presence in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup.

With just one Premier League start since December and barely a minute of action in the final stretch of the campaign, the England international’s future at the Etihad Stadium appears increasingly uncertain.

Grealish, who commanded a British-record fee when he joined City from Aston Villa, now faces intense speculation over a potential move this summer, with Newcastle United and Aston Villa both linked with a possible bid.

Despite City’s overall underwhelming performance in the 2024/25 season, Grealish failed to convince Guardiola of his worth on the pitch.

He did not feature in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, a clear indication of how far his stock has fallen. Adding to his frustration, he played just one minute in the final six league games, a statistic that has only fueled rumors that City are ready to let him leave.

His high wages, reportedly around £300,000 a week, present a significant barrier for most clubs. A move to Newcastle would likely require the club to break their wage structure, a bold and potentially divisive decision considering they already have two left-wingers—Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes—vying for that position.

While supporters and pundits continue to debate Grealish’s value, the man himself has responded directly to criticism, particularly from social media.

After talkSPORT posted a clip of his former Aston Villa teammate Gabby Agbonlahor defending him, Grealish replied to a comment questioning his recent form.

Sarcastically, he asked what more he could have done: “What do you want me to do, score a hat-trick in 20 minutes?”

He then pointed out that he had scored three goals in three matches where he had played over 45 minutes, suggesting that when given the opportunity, he still had the ability to make an impact.

However, public perception hasn’t been kind. Grealish continues to battle a reputation that blends celebrity lifestyle with underwhelming football performances.

That narrative was amplified earlier this year when he was spotted in a disheveled state on a night out in Newcastle shortly after visiting a local social club.

Incidents like this only deepen the divide between his undeniable talent and his perceived lack of discipline or professionalism.

NewcastleWorld reports that, for now, there is no solid movement on a transfer to St. James’ Park, though the story remains fluid and could evolve as the summer progresses.

Nonetheless, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has cast doubt on the likelihood or even the wisdom of such a deal. Shearer highlighted that Grealish’s best performances have historically come from the left-wing position—a role Newcastle already have covered.

He noted that Gordon and Barnes both occupy that area and questioned the logic of adding another high-profile name to an already competitive spot.

Shearer believes Grealish has no future at City under Guardiola and is not the right fit for Newcastle, a sentiment that could influence how fans and club insiders view the potential signing.

Guardiola himself has kept his comments measured but telling. Speaking about Grealish’s situation, he admitted that no conversations had taken place between them regarding the player’s future.

Instead, he deferred responsibility to the club’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, and Grealish’s agent. Still, Guardiola made it clear that playing time must be earned, and those who aren’t playing are naturally dissatisfied.

He emphasized that every player wants to be on the pitch, especially when the team is winning, but it’s up to them to adapt and fight for their place.

In reality, Grealish’s future likely hinges on whether he still has the hunger and focus to reclaim a starting role at an elite level or if he’s ready to move on in search of regular football elsewhere.

At 29, he remains in his prime years, but time is slipping away for him to make the impact many once expected when he made his record-breaking move.

While his market value and wage demands may complicate a potential transfer, clubs willing to take the risk could still unearth the creative force that once lit up the Premier League with flair, energy, and vision.

Whether that happens at Newcastle, Aston Villa, or somewhere else remains to be seen, but the summer transfer window will likely prove decisive for Grealish’s next chapter.