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Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly has been linked with a shock loan move to local rivals Manchester United, a report suggests.
Kelly was left out of City’s squad to face United at the Etihad Stadium, with earlier reports suggesting the forward could make a surprise 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. A potential January capture with Brazil international CarolineA free agent after leaving the North Carolina Courage will only intensify the competition for spots.
This Telegraph reported that Kelly, 27, has a “move to open” for United for the rest of the 2024/25 season, in what would be a shock switch of the transfer window.
Despite the speculation, City head coach Gareth Taylor was quick to shut down any suggestion that Kelly’s omission from the squad was linked to his potential departure – “I don’t know anything about that”.
The head coach said Sky Sports Kelly trained with the squad at the weekend, but pulled out with a “foot injury” ahead of the derby clash. United manager Mark Skinner also refused to add to the speculation, adding that it would be “inappropriate” to discuss a player from another club.
Taylor’s side had a poor performance at the Etihad Stadium, after atrocious defensive errors gave United a 4-2 victory and Manchester bragging rights. City felt the absence of Khadijah Shaw, Lauren Hamp and Alex Greenwood sorely and the Red Devils drew blood when they had the chance.
The club have made just two signings so far in the January transfer window, before securing Japanese midfielder Emu Oyama to snap up FC Rosengard defender Rebecca Nack.
