A name everyone will be keeping an eye on for the rest of January transfer window is Chloe Kelly, with the Manchester City striker facing an uncertain future at the Joie Stadium.
The 26-year-old is in the last six months of her contract and has yet to sign new terms with him WSL team, who he joined from Everton in 2020. Limited playing time under Gareth Taylor this season has intensified speculation of a January move, as Kelly faces a battle to keep his place at Sarina Wiegman. England team ahead of Euro 2025 in Switzerland in July.
Assembly of lesions in the frontal areas a city could prove to be a major stumbling block if Kelly asks for a loan or a 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 at the weekend for City. FA Cup win at Ipswich Town.
In the win against Ipswich, Kelly made his first start since the 3-2 win over St. Polten al Champions League in October and it was his first full 90 minutes since September. In total, the winger has made just four starts in all competitions so far this season, with only one of those starts coming in the WSL.
If Kelly wants to push a move this month, 90 minutes has assessed and ranked potential destinations for the England international with an eye on the Euros on the horizon…
If a short-term WSL loan move is on the cards, it would almost certainly rule out any of the teams competing at the top end of the table. Even if Kelly does not extend his stay at City, the last thing they will want to do is reinforce a direct rival at such a crucial time in the campaign.
Tottenham have some competition for places on the right side of their attack, with Jess Naz also fighting for a place in the England squad. But Robert Vilahamn could do with some extra firepower and the success of Grace Clinton’s loan move from Manchester United last season could make the north London club an ideal destination for any player.
Kelly’s history as a former Arsenal player probably wouldn’t come into it.
Further down the line, Kelly could return to his former club Everton and the proximity between Liverpool and Manchester means he probably shouldn’t be uprooted for a short-term switch.
Brian Sorensen’s side are in desperate need of reinforcements for the second half of the season after suffering numerous injuries, but have been the busiest of all clubs in the opening weeks of this window.
With four players already through the door at Walton Hall Park, including striker Kelly Gago from Nantes, it remains to be seen whether they will go ahead with the rumored interest in Kelly.
Also in the short term, Barcelona could enter the market this month. The Champions League champions have recently confirmed the injury to striker Caroline Graham Hansen, who is suffering from muscle problems, and have not confirmed the Norway international’s return date.
Depending on the extent of Graham Hansen’s injury, a Kelly loan could ensure the F-League giants can remain competitive on all fronts for the rest of the season.
Former City teammate Keira Walsh has called Barcelona home from 2022, while Lucy Bronze and Toni 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 potential exit could open up a place in Tommy Stroot’s squad. If Kelly has a January move on the table, Wolfsburg could come calling to prepare their own squad before the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in Kelly has eased in recent months after initial rumors since last year suggested they were interested in the winger. However, they chased Mary Earps on a free transfer from Manchester United last summer and so could look to repeat a similar trick when Kelly’s deal expires at the end of the campaign.
PSG star striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto is in the final months of her own deal, so decisions will have to be made in Paris sooner rather than later.
