Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly saw the final days of the transfer window play out in an unsavoury manner as she saw a move to Manchester United blocked before completing a loan to Arsenal
Chloe Kelly completed a loan move to Arsenal in the final hours of WSL transfer deadline day (Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Chloe Kelly completed a loan move to Arsenal from Manchester City and after Manchester United saw their deadline day offer rejected.
Kelly saw a tumultuous end to the Women’s Super League transfer window, after claiming City were not allowing her to complete a move to her preferred destination. The England international’s loan comes ahead of her contract expiring in the summer and after a breakdown between the club and her management.
United’s interest arrived with Kelly’s preference to remain in the city close to her family. But the Citizens are said to have demanded more from the Red Devils for any move.
The 27-year-old has made just one WSL start this season, against West Ham in October. She hopes a move will help secure a place in the England squad ahead of this summer’s Euros, with regular minutes at Arsenal now being key.
Before the move to Arsenal was complete, Kelly took to social media and claimed that City were briefing the media against her. “So disappointed to find out tonight that people at the club are briefing journalists against me if am to sign at a club before the window shuts,” she wrote.
“They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media. Of which is false accusations Women should look after each other, and build each other up… not shoot them down to protect their employers. To those responsible, I am disappointed in this.
“As said in my previous statement I just want to find happiness again.”
Chloe Kelly has released a statement about her future ( Image:
Carl Recine/Getty Images) Kelly previously revealed that she was unable to join the club she wished and also noted she will no longer tolerate “someone’s negative behaviour”. The forward did not name the individual.
In a post on Instagram, Kelly wrote: “For a long time, I’ve tried to work through professional challenges privately, not commenting publicly, but with my situation increasingly being debated in the public domain, I feel it’s time to be open and transparent, and you heard it from my perspective.
“A key lesson I have learned in my life is that, while I can’t control someone’s negative behaviour towards me, I can control how long I am prepared to tolerate it. From day one, I’ve felt so much love from my team-mates and the fans.
“With my contract expiring in June, I’ve accepted my future is not at this club beyond then. 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.
“Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so. However, 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 but my mental wellbeing.
“The situation has dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right. I’m at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me, and [it] is very disappointing that the sport we love can make you feel this way, especially after there’s been so much growth in our sport.
“This is why I’m posting this, because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed while we live in silence. I am human and I have and will give everything to the game that I love. Ultimately, I just want to be happy again.”
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