Arsenal Women have made a stunning late move to take Chloe Kelly on loan from Manchester City. Kelly has fallen out with City boss Gareth Taylor and been frozen out of the City team this season and at the end of last season. The England international, who came through the Gunners academy before leaving for Everton in 2018, has only started one WSL game this season.
On Wednesday evening, Kelly released a statement on her social media accounts, setting out her dissatisfaction at what she perceives as being blocked from making a move with Euro 2025 only a few months away and her England place in jeopardy if she continues not to play. Kelly scored the winner for England in the final of Euro 2022.
In her statement, she said, ‘To be dictated 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 by my mental wellbeing. The situation has been dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right.’
Manchester United have been trying to sign Kelly on loan, while Brighton also made an offer which the player is understood to have rejected. There are obvious difficulties for Manchester City both to loan a big player to their city rivals and to a club competing with them for the UWCL qualification spots in the table.
Arsenal have mounted a late ‘rug pull’ bid which Manchester City are understood to have accepted, even though Arsenal are also competing with them for UWCL qualification. The deadline is at 2300 this evening and, according to our current information, the situation remains undecided. We will stay across things as much as we can.
How exciting!
Great move as an interim measure.
Will we have to guarantee game time so she can make Euros squad?
A great player to have!
Katie must not “accidentally” bounce the ball onto her in training sessions too.
Credit to Kelly. She has stayed quiet and professional until this week despite the falling out in city. She would be an interesting addition to Arsenal
I heard that United are ready to make another offer. What she posted was harsh, if it were with Arsenal the entire media would be crucifying the club.
Wise move!! Will be even wiser for a permanent move!
If it goes well we’ll get her for free in 6 months
It’s terrible Gareth Taylor lied saying she was injured Chloe wants to stay in the north close to her family but for some reason it’s not the done thing to let a player move from City to Utd what a load of rubbish surely it’s what the player wants
Player still undecided… Her preference is for United, apparently.
I wonder why CK doesn’t sign a pre-contract with ManU and come to Arsenal in the short term? I doubt if we want her on permanent deal anyway. Could be wrong.