A name everyone will be watching for the rest of January transport window is Chloe Kelly, with the Manchester City striker facing an uncertain future at the Joie Stadium.
The 26-year-old is in the final six months of her contract and has yet to sign new terms with WSL side, which he joined from Everton in 2020. Limited playing time under Gareth Taylor this season has fueled speculation over a January move as Kelly faces a battle to keep his place in Sarina Wiegman’s squad England team ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July.
Placement injuries in front areas in City could prove a major hurdle if Kelly seeks a loan or a permanent move this month. Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema are among those who have struggled with injury in recent months, although the latter returned to action off the bench at the weekend for City’s side. FA Cup win over Ipswich Town.
In the win over Ipswich, Kelly made her first start since the 3-2 triumph over St Polten in Champions League in October and it was her first full 90 minutes since September. In total, the winger has made just four starts in all competitions so far this season and only one of those has come in the WSL
If Kelly is to push for a move this month, 90 minutes has assessed and ranked the potential destinations for the England international with one eye on the Euros on the horizon…
If a short-term WSL loan move is on the cards, that would almost certainly rule out some of the teams competing at the top of the table. Even if Kelly is not set to extend her stay at City, the last thing they will want to do is strengthen a direct rival at such a crucial point in the campaign.
Tottenham have some competition for places on the right side of their attack, with Jess Naz fighting for a place in the England squad as well. But Robert Vilahamn could do with some extra strength and the success of Grace Clinton’s loan move from Manchester United last season potentially makes the north London club an ideal destination for either player.
Kelly’s history as a former Arsenal player probably wouldn’t come into it.
Further down the table, Kelly could return to former club Everton and the close proximity between Liverpool and Manchester means he probably won’t have to uproot himself for a short-term switch.
Brian Sorensen’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements for the second half of the season after a host of injuries, but have been the busiest of any team in the opening weeks of this term.
With four players already through the door at Walton Hall Park, including Nantes striker Kelly Gago, it remains to be seen whether they will go ahead with the rumored interest in Kelly.
Also on a short-term basis, Barcelona could enter the market this month. The Champions League holders recently confirmed an injury to striker Caroline Graham Hansen, who is dealing with muscle trouble, and have not confirmed a return date for the Norway international.
Depending on the extent of Graham Hansen’s injury, a loan move for Kelly could ensure the Liga F giants are able to remain competitive on all fronts for the rest of the season.
Former City team-mate Kiera Walsh has called Barcelona home from 2022, while Lucy Bronze and Tony Duggan have also represented the club.
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s Wolfsburg remain one of the giants of the women’s game. Like Kelly, one of their star players, Jule Brand, is out of contract in the summer and faces an uncertain future.
The 22-year-old will be a difficult figure to replace and a possible departure could open up a place in Tommy Stroot’s squad. If a January move is on the table for Kelly, Wolfsburg could knock on their future squad before the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Kelly has eased in recent months after initial rumors from last year suggested they were keen on the winger. However, they did pursue Mary Earps on a free transfer from Manchester United last summer, so they could repeat a similar trick when Kelly’s deal expires at the end of the season.
Star PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto is in the final months of her deal, so decisions will have to be made in Paris sooner rather than later.
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2025-01-13 19:00:00
