Chloe Kelly linked with shock loan move to Man City rivals | OneFootball

Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly has been linked to a shock loan move to local rivals Manchester United, a report suggests.

Kelly was left out of the City squad to face United at Etihad Stadium, with earlier reports suggesting the forward could make a surprising loan move to the side's Manchester rivals.

The Euro 2022 winner, who has started just one WSL game this season, is out of contract in the summer and is expected to depart. The possible January capture of with Brazil international Kerolin, a free agent after leaving North Carolina Courage, would only itensify competition for places.

The Telegraph has reported that Kelly, 27, is "open to a move" to United for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, in what would be the shock switch of the transfer window.

Everton v Manchester City - Barclays Women's Super League / Lewis Storey/GettyImages

Despite the speculation, City head coach Gareth Taylor was fast to shut down any suggestion that Kelly's omission from the squad was linked to her potential departure- "I know nothing about that".

The head coach told Sky Sports that Kelly trained with the team over the weekend, but pulled out with an "ankle injury" ahead of the derby clash. United manager Marc Skinner also refused to add to the speculation, adding it would be "unfair" of him to discuss another club's player.

Taylor's side put on a woeful showing at Etihad Stadium, after cruel defensive errors handed United a 4-2 victory and the Manchester bragging rights. City felt the absence of Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood greatly, and the Red Devils drew blood when given the opportunity.

The club have made just two signings so far in the January transfer window, quick to snap up defender Rebecca Knaak from FC Rosengard, before securing Japenese midfielder Aemu Oyama.