Arsenal sign Man City and England forward Kelly on loan

Following a rollercoaster January transfer window, England international Chloe Kelly has signed for Arsenal on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.

As she sought a move away from City throughout the month, the 27-year-old was the target of a lot of speculation.

Prior to the signing of a loan deal with Arsenal, rivals Manchester United made an offer for the striker on deadline day, but City rejected it.

On Wednesday, Kelly posted on Instagram that she wanted “to be happy again” and did not see her future at City beyond the summer.

With the 2025 European Championship taking place in July, Kelly, who has only made one Women’s Super League (WSL) start this year, was concerned about her place in the England squad. However, her contract is set to expire in June.

When England won their first major women’s tournament at Euro 2022 and made history, she scored the winning goal against Germany.

Kelly added 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.

With only four months left in the football season, I have a huge impact on both my career and my mental well-being, but to be dictated who I can and can’t join is.

“The situation has been dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right”.

Throughout January, Kelly’s intentions to leave Manchester City were well known, but the England international’s decision to do so led to an increasingly toxic relationship with the club.

In the hours leading up to Thursday’s 23: 00 GMT deadline, City received offers from WSL clubs Brighton and Manchester United which were not accepted.

One of those offers, according to sources at the club, did not include a contract to pay Kelly’s wages until the season’s end.

United’s interest was first reported in the build-up to Manchester City’s defeat in the derby at Etihad Stadium, with Kelly absent from the squad.

Arsenal’s offer came in late on Thursday and was accepted by City, with both parties keen to reach a resolution.

After asserting that City were “dictating” who she could or could not join in her social media post on Wednesday, Kelly’s departure wasn’t smooth.

City did not make a public comment, but she will likely be relieved that Kelly’s exodus has come to an end thanks to the closure of the saga.