Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly has turned down the chance to move to Brighton – with her preference to stay in Manchester as United work on a Deadline Day deal to sign the England international.
Kelly has been disappointed she has not been able to leave City yet this month – and released a strongly-worded post on social media on Wednesday about her future.
Sky Sports News understands that City have only received one suitable bid for Kelly so far and that has been with her to consider ahead of the window closing.
One source has told us that Brighton have submitted a loan offer, however she is understood to be aware City would demand more from a bid by United.
Sky Sports News reached out to Kelly on Wednesday after she said on Instagram she was “disappointed” that “who she can and cannot join” was “being dictated” to her. This follows a breakdown in relations between the club and her management, with no resolution yet being found despite meetings.
It is understood the club told her she cannot be replaced this month, however they then signed Brazil international Kerolin Nicoli from North Carolina Courage, and she feels the club are holding on to her as a matter of pride.
Kelly’s contract with City ends in four months and England manager Sarina Wiegman is believed to be keen for her to get regular game time ahead of the Euros this summer. Kelly still considers herself a “top-three” player.
Kelly said in her statement on Wednesday: “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.”
Analysis: Kelly too talented to be a squad player
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:
The curious case of Chloe Kelly. England’s Euro 2022 final saviour and so often in recent years a match-winner for Manchester City too. But something has gone awry this season and the writing has been on the wall for some time.
Gareth Taylor has been questioned about Kelly’s lack of minutes – only 165 in the WSL – on numerous occasions and remained coy, while choosing not to add any fuel to the transfer speculation fire. The latter is fair enough, but the manager has never really addressed why Kelly hasn’t been playing.
This is a winger that formed one third of the most fearsome attacking trio in the WSL last term – alongside Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp – scoring and assisting for fun as City mounted a serious title challenge. Kelly registered 10 goal contributions and generated 51 chances, the second-best creative threat behind Man United’s Katie Zelem.
Clearly her relationship with Taylor has reached an impasse, but Kelly has so much to offer and is desperate to prove her worth to Sarina Wiegman before the England boss makes her squad selection for this summer’s Euros. And at 27, she’s only just entering her peak years, not beyond them.
If Man City can’t make use of her very many talents, they should – for an acceptable price – offer her to a club that can.