Chloe Kelly releases bombshell statement accusing Man City of trying to ‘assassinate her character’ after deadline-day loan move to Arsenal

Chloe Kelly has launched a sensational attack on Manchester City, accusing the club of attempting to ‘assassinate my character’ and ‘tried to plant negative stories about me’ moments after sealing a deadline-day loan move to Arsenal.

The 27-year-old’s contract at Manchester City was due to expire in June, and she looked set to be gearing up for a move across town to Manchester United.

But it now appears the north London club is where she will spend the rest of the season, with City having accepted a bid from Arsenal just hours before the transfer window shut, despite Kelly’s preferences to stay in Manchester.

Mail Sport understands that only two bids met City’s valuation of the England international – one from Arsenal and the other from Brighton.

And now the winger has published a new statement accusing City of attempting to tarnish her reputation before a loan deal away from the club was confirmed.

Her post read in full: ‘So disappointed to find out tonight that people at the club are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.

The 27-year-old accused ‘people at the club’ of ‘trying to plant negative stories’ about her

‘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, l am disappointed in this.

‘As said in my previous statement I just want to find happiness again.’

The previous statement Kelly is referring to involved her saying that her contract situation was affecting her ‘mental wellbeing’ as the club ‘dictated’ which club she could join in the January transfer window. She also said she would no longer ‘tolerate’ someone’s ‘negative behaviour’, although she did not specifically name that person.

Manchester City have been contacted for a response, and City manager Gareth Taylor is scheduled to speak at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Kelly has struggled for game time this season – having started just once in six league appearances – and has been looking for a move away from Taylor’s side as she bids to make it into Sarina Wiegman’s Euros squad for this summer’s title defence.

Kelly scored the match-winning goal against Germany to clinch the Euros in 2022, and Wiegman has admitted that her lack of game time was a ‘concern’.

Arsenal are currently fourth in the WSL table, one point behind City, and Kelly’s arrival will give them a positive boost as the Gunners attempt to wrangle a top-three Champions League spot.

Kelly has found opportunities limited at City this season and has made just 6 WSL appearances

The England star started her career in north London before joining City via Everton in 2020

Kelly played for Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of 12 in 2010 and went on to make 19 appearances for the first team before joining Everton on a permanent basis in 2018.

She then sealed a move to City in 2020 where she won the FA Cup in 2019/20 and the League Cup in 2021/22.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said: ‘Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season.

‘She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.’

And Arsenal’s Director of Women’s football added: ‘We’re thrilled to welcome Chloe back to Arsenal. As an academy graduate, we’ve been proud to see the career she’s gone on to enjoy, both at club and international level.

‘We’re delighted she’ll be representing Arsenal again as we aim to compete for honours this season.’