Chloe Kelly hits out at Man City once more amidst transfer drama | OneFootball

Chloe Kelly has accused Manchester City of attempting to "assassinate her character" amidst transfer drama that saw her land a last-minute loan deal at Arsenal.

Kelly was unveiled to be Arsenal's newest recruit just one minute before the transfer window closed on Thursday night, signing a loan deal that will keep her in north-London until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old immediately took to social media soon after to express her frustration with those employed at Manchester City.

"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," wrote Kelly.

"They've called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in 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 responsilbe, I am disappointed in this. As said in my previous statement, I just want to find happiness again."

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The post followed rumours that the forward had rejected a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion due to wanting to stay close to her family.

While Kelly left out the specifics, many scrutinised the player's choice to turn down the offer when she originally stated her desire to leave City was based on wanting to secure more minutes ahead of this summer's Euro 2025 tournament.

Despite persistent efforts from Manchester United to sign the forward before the deadline, all offers placed on the table were said to have been rejected by their City rivals.

This marks the second time that Kelly has publicly hit out at City in just one week, after taking to social media the day before the transfer window deadline to confirm that she'd 'accepted' her future was not at the club.

Kelly now returns to north-London once more, having grown up playing in the Arsenal academy from age 12. The Euros hero expressed her gratitude for the move, writing on social media: "Your roots always pull you back".

It won't be long before Kelly has to come up against her parent club, as Arsenal travel to the Joie Stadium to face Man City in the Women's Super League (WSL) this Sunday. A reverse fixture will take place just four days later, as the Gunners host the Cityzens in the semi-final of the Subway Women's League Cup.

Despite what may lay in the dreams of the Arsenal faithful, Kelly will be ineligible to play in either fixture due to the terms of her loan contract.