A name everyone will be keeping an eye on for the rest of January transfer Window is Chloe Kelly and the Manchester City striker faces an uncertain future at the Joie Stadium.
The 26-year-old is in the final six months of her contract and is yet to agree a new deal with the WSL side she joined from Everton in 2020. Limited game time under Gareth Taylor this season has increased speculation of a January Kelly will have to fight to keep her place in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July.
Mounting injuries in City’s forward areas could prove a significant stumbling block if Kelly does indeed pursue a loan or permanent move this month. Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Vivianne Miedema are among those who have suffered injury problems in recent months, although the latter returned to action from the bench in City’s FA Cup win over Ipswich Town at the weekend.
In the win over Ipswich, Kelly made her first start since the 3-2 triumph over St Pölten in the Champions League in October and was her first full 90 minutes since September. In total, the winger has only started four times across all competitions this season, including just one in the WSL
If Kelly is to push for a move this month, 90min has assessed and ranked the England international’s potential targets with the European Championships on the horizon…
If a short-term loan move to the WSL is considered, it would almost certainly exclude one of the teams competing at the top end of the table. Even if Kelly will not extend her stay at City, the last thing they want to do is strengthen a direct rival at such a crucial point in the season.
Tottenham have some competition for places on the right side of attack, with Jess Naz also fighting for a place in the England squad. But Robert Vilahamn could do with a little more firepower, and the success of Grace Clinton’s loan signing from Manchester United last season may make the north London club an ideal destination for any player.
Kelly’s history as a former Arsenal player probably wouldn’t matter.
Further down the table, Kelly could return to her former club Everton, and the proximity between Liverpool and Manchester means she is unlikely to have to leave for a short-term move.
Brian Sorensen’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements for the second half of the season after being hit by numerous injuries, but have been the busiest of any club in the early weeks of this window.
With four players already admitted to Walton Hall Park, including Nantes striker Kelly Gago, it remains to be seen whether they would carry on the rumored interest in Kelly.
Even in the short term, Barcelona could enter the market this month. The Champions League defending champions recently confirmed an injury to winger Caroline Graham Hansen, who is suffering from muscle problems, 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 League F giants can remain competitive on all fronts for the remainder of the season.
Former City teammate Keira Walsh has called Barcelona home since 2022, while Lucy Bronze and Toni Duggan have also represented the club.
Elsewhere in Europe, German team Wolfsburg remains one of the giants of women’s football. 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 difficult to replace and a potential departure could free up a spot in Tommy Stroot’s squad. If a January move is on the cards for Kelly, Wolfsburg could be knocking on the door to future-proof their own squad before the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain’s reported interest in Kelly has waned in recent months, after initial rumors suggested they were interested in the winger last year. However, they recruited Mary Earps on a free transfer from Manchester United last summer and could look to repeat a similar ploy when Kelly’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Star PSG striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto is in the final months of her own contract, so decisions need to be made in Paris sooner rather than later.