Brighton make audacious bid for Man City star Chloe Kelly

Brighton Women are reported to have launched an audacious bid to sign England forward Chloe Kelly on loan from Manchester City.

Kelly has been subject to intense speculation surrounding her future. She is out of contact with City in the summer and has started only one WSL match so far this season.

With Euro 2025 coming up this summer in Switzerland, a lack of game time may mean Kelly does not make it onto the plane as England set out to defend their title.

Kelly famously scored the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley when the Lionesses came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in extra time at Wembley. That moment turned her into one of the most recognisable and famous faces in the England squad.

Reports suggest City have received two loan bids so far for Kelly. One from Manchester United. The other from the Albion.

The situation is made complicated by City refusing to sanction any move which strengthens a direct WSL rival.

United are currently two points and two places above City in the race for a Champions League spot. A move from blue half of Manchester to red could lead to Kelly helping United to a top three finish and European qualification ahead of City.

With the WSL transfer window shutting at 11pm on Thursday 30th January, Kelly is running out of time to secure a move and the first team football she needs to boost her Euros hopes.

This led to her posting an emotional message on social media on Wednesday night in an attempt to exit City.

Kelly wrote: “A message from me. For a long time, I’ve tried to work through professional challenges privately, not commenting publicly, but with my situation increasingly being debated in the public domain, I feel it’s time to be open and transparent, and you heard it from my perspective.”

“A key lesson I have learned in my life is that, while I can’t control someone’s negative behaviour towards me, I can control how long I am prepared to tolerate it.”

“From day one, I’ve felt so much love from my team-mates and the fans. With my contract expiring in June, I’ve accepted my future is not at this club beyond then.”

“With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so.”

“However, to be dictated whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing. The situation has dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right.”

“I’m at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me, and is very disappointing that the sport we love can make you feel this way, especially after there’s been so much growth in our sport.”

“This is why I’m posting this, because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed while we live in silence.”

“I am human and I have and will give everything to the game that I love. Ultimately, I just want to be happy again.”

The Albion sit fifth in the WSL, making them the leading club after the big big four of City, Chelsea, United and Arsenal.

Meaning unless someone in Europe makes a late bid or City soften their stance about loaning to a fellow Champions League contender, Brighton are the best route to first team football for Chloe Kelly and a summer in Switzerland.

Kelly would clearly prefer to remain in Manchester; hence taking her issues with City public. But the Albion are not a bad backup option.

Five months of good performances from Chloe Kelly in a Brighton shirt can benefit player and club before she signs permanently for United, Arsenal or whoever.

The Albion are no strangers to surprising the football world by bringing in Lionesses. Fran Kirby signed for the Seagulls in the summer from Chelsea.

It was quite the coup for Brighton to capture one of the most decorated players in English women football history.

Kirby was soon followed through the door by Nikita Parris, another member of the Lionesses squad who won Euro 2022. Parris joined on a free from Manchester United.

The investment from Tony Bloom to secure such high-profile players is backed up by Brighton aiming to build the first WSL specific stadium in England.

Land on Brighton University next to the Amex has been earmarked. If all goes well in terms of planning permission and construction, the facility could open as soon as the 2027-28 season.

The chance of Chloe Kelly being a Brighton three years into the future is probably zero percent. But Kelly playing for Brighton for the next five months?

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Albion Women might pull off their boldest signing yet.

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