Manchester City have accepted a loan offer from Arsenal for winger Chloe Kelly but no move has yet been finalised.
The England international, who is out of contract at the end of 2024-25, was also the subject of two approaches from Manchester United which were rebuffed by City.
The transfer window for Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs closes on Thursday at 11pm.
Kelly released a statement on Wednesday stating she accepted she would not be at City beyond the end of her contract in the summer and stating her mental wellbeing has been impacted after being “dictated to whom I can and can’t join”.
The 27-year-old winger has been limited to a bit part at City this season after losing her starting place towards the end of last term. She has featured just six times in the Women’s Super League and has predominantly been utilised as a substitute. The Athletic reported earlier this month that, according to sources with knowledge of the matter who wish to remain anonymous to protect relationships, there has been a breakdown in relationship with City manager Gareth Taylor.
City have added further depth in forward areas in January with the signing of Brazil international Kerolin, joining an array of wide options at Taylor’s disposal that already includes Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Mary Fowler and Aoba Fujino.
“With my contract expiring in June I’ve accepted my future is not at this club beyond then,” Kelly posted on her social media accounts on Wednesday.
“With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country.
“However to be dictated to whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing. The situation has dragged on for too long; it’s disappointing and not right.”
Kelly has continued to be selected by England manager Sarina Wiegman this season despite her lack of starts. Wiegman admitted in November her game time was a “concern”, but that she had “built enough credit” to merit inclusion.
“I think it’s (Kelly’s playing time) a concern right now already,” Wiegman said. “That’s a hard situation, competition at Manchester City is high.
“Chloe knows that she’s not in the best position at her club at the moment, but she has enough credit to bring her in related to the whole team and availability of players.”
Kelly joined City from Everton in 2020 and has won the FA and League Cup during her four and a half years at the club.
The England international provided a career high 10 goals and 12 assists during the 2020-21 WSL campaign before being sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
She returned from injury to force her way into Wiegman’s England squad for the 2022 European Championship and scored the winner against Germany in the final.
GO DEEPER
England’s hero Chloe Kelly: an iconic celebration and the perfect blend of fire and ice
(Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
