Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish
Pep Guardiola has been discussing Jack Grealish's future at Manchester City amid links with a move to Newcastle
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given an honest verdict on Jack Grealish's future at the former Premier League champions after a disappointing campaign.
Newcastle United have been offered Grealish ahead of the summer transfer window and the England international was spotted on Tyneside enjoying a night out earlier this year. The players' wages are understood to be a concern ahead of any potential move to St. James' Park, given he has two years left on his reported £300,000 per week contract.
That being said, Grealish was said to be open to a move to the Magpies having struggled for minutes this season. The 29-year-old played just 715 minutes in the top flight this season across 20 games, scoring once and assisting another.
The £100 million signing has struggled since his move to City and was left out of the matchday squad entirely for the win over Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.
"It was selection," Guardiola told our sister title The Manchester Evening News. "The last two months, month and a half, there were five or six players at home every time and this time I decided for these guys. No more than that," he said.
"Of course Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn't happen this season and last season either.
"He needs to do it - with us or another place. It's a question for Jack, his agent, and the club.
"If he stays it will be fine and he fought like he fought from day one to make a contribution but not today. For example the FA Cup final I rotated and Rico and Macca were not there and Khusanov and Vitor and Echeverri were here so it's the same. I tried to move the players like it was there and today it was Jack, no more than that."
Guardiola would not say whether he would like Grealish to stay at the club beyon this summer, having bemoaned the sheer size of his squad this season meant he's struggled to keep players happy. However, the City boss did make it clear it was his decision to sign the England international and keep him at the club.
"Don't ask me about Jack. Who said I'm not happy with Jack? Rico was not selected, McAtee was exceptional against Aston Villa and Wolves - why not ask me about McAtee? It's not personal," he said.
"I have 24 players, I have to get rid of six players last game and five players today because Kovacic got sent off.
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"I treat Jack like I think of Khusanov, McAtee and all the players who have not been but you say I'm selecting we are in trouble? It's not about that.
"I have 24 players, I have to get rid of five players because Kovacic was sent off in the last game. I'm thinking of Jack and Khusanov and McAtee. It's nothing personal with Jack.
"I'm the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the last season. I'm the one who said I want Jack Grealish.
"Now he didn't come because he didn't come but not something else. What happens in the future is a job for Txiki, Hugo and the agents."