Arsenal Women are poised to complete one of their most significant signings of the summer transfer window, with Manchester City forward Chloe Kelly set to join the Gunners on a permanent basis following the expiration of her contract at the Etihad Stadium. The 27-year-old England international, who has already demonstrated her quality during a successful loan spell with Arsenal earlier this year, represents a major coup for the North London club as they continue to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level both domestically and in European competition.
The completion of Kelly’s permanent transfer would mark the culmination of a relationship that has been developing for months, with Arsenal having carefully cultivated their interest in the versatile forward throughout her loan period. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Kelly has granted Arsenal an exclusive window to finalize the deal, with discussions focusing on a comprehensive three-year contract that would see her through what could be the peak years of her career.
Kelly’s impact during her loan spell at Arsenal cannot be overstated. Arriving in January 2025 from Manchester City, she quickly established herself as a crucial component of Arsenal’s attacking setup, bringing pace, directness, and clinical finishing to a team that was already showing signs of genuine quality. Her contributions were perhaps most evident in Arsenal’s remarkable UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, which culminated in a historic 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the final.
The significance of Kelly starting in that Champions League final cannot be understated. For a player who had been marginalized at Manchester City, reduced to just one Women’s Super League start during the 2024/25 season, to be trusted with such a crucial role in European football’s biggest match speaks volumes about both her resilience and the faith that Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers placed in her abilities.
That Champions League triumph represented more than just a trophy for Arsenal Women; it was a statement of intent, a declaration that the club was ready to compete with the very best in European football. Kelly’s role in that success story has undoubtedly strengthened Arsenal’s position in negotiations, with the player having experienced firsthand the ambition and quality that exists within the organization.
Kelly’s departure from Manchester City was far from amicable, with the circumstances surrounding her exit highlighting the complex dynamics that can exist within professional women’s football. In a revealing social media post in January, Kelly accused Manchester City of attempting to “assassinate her character,” suggesting that her relationship with the club had deteriorated to an extent that made her position untenable.
The limited playing time afforded to Kelly at City during the 2024/25 season under former manager Gareth Taylor appears to have been a source of significant frustration for the player. For someone of Kelly’s caliber – an England international with proven Premier League experience – to be restricted to just one league start represents a clear mismanagement of resources. This situation created the perfect storm for her eventual departure, with Arsenal perfectly positioned to capitalize on City’s apparent inability to properly utilize one of their most talented players.
The controversy surrounding her exit also speaks to broader issues within women’s football regarding player treatment and career management. Kelly’s willingness to speak out about her experiences at City demonstrates a level of courage that should be commended, particularly given the potential impact such statements could have had on her career prospects
One of the most compelling aspects of Kelly’s potential permanent signing is her deep-rooted connection to Arsenal Football Club. As an academy graduate who represented the club between 2015 and 2018, Kelly possesses an intimate understanding of Arsenal’s culture, values, and expectations. During her initial spell with the club, she made 19 appearances and scored nine goals, demonstrating the potential that was always evident in her game.
This academy connection provides Arsenal with several advantages in their pursuit of Kelly’s signature. Firstly, it eliminates much of the integration period typically required when signing players from other clubs. Kelly already understands the club’s tactical approach, training methods, and cultural expectations. Her familiarity with current teammates such as Lotte Wubben-Moy and Leah Williamson provides an additional layer of comfort and continuity.
Moreover, Kelly’s previous experience at Arsenal means she has witnessed firsthand the club’s commitment to women’s football development. Her comments about Arsenal having “always paved the way for women’s football” reflect a genuine appreciation for the club’s historical significance and ongoing contribution to the growth of the women’s game
The permanent signing of Chloe Kelly represents more than just the addition of a talented forward; it signals Arsenal’s continued commitment to building a squad capable of sustained success at the highest level. Following their Champions League triumph, the club faces the challenge of maintaining momentum while simultaneously strengthening their squad for the demands of competing on multiple fronts.
Kelly’s versatility as an attacking player provides Arsenal with tactical flexibility that could prove crucial in the coming season. Her ability to operate effectively across the front line, whether as a traditional winger, an inside forward, or even as a central striker when required, gives head coach Renee Slegers multiple options when constructing her tactical approach for different opposition and match situations.
The three-year contract being discussed would provide Arsenal with stability in their forward line while also representing excellent value given Kelly’s free transfer status. In an era where transfer fees in women’s football are steadily increasing, securing a player of Kelly’s quality without a transfer fee represents astute business from Arsenal’s perspective
Arsenal’s success in the Champions League has elevated expectations for the coming season, with the club now expected to compete for major honors both domestically and internationally. Kelly’s permanent signing would significantly enhance their prospects in both areas, providing the attacking depth necessary to cope with the demands of competing across multiple competitions.
Her experience in high-pressure situations, demonstrated during the Champions League final victory over Barcelona, makes her an invaluable asset for Arsenal’s European campaigns. The ability to perform on the biggest stage is a rare quality, and Kelly’s proven track record in this regard makes her signing even more significant.
Domestically, Arsenal finished second in the Women’s Super League during the 2024/25 season, securing Champions League qualification but falling short of the title. Kelly’s addition to their attacking options could provide the marginal gains necessary to close the gap to the league leaders and mount a sustained title challenge.
From Kelly’s perspective, the move to Arsenal represents an opportunity to revitalize her career after a challenging period at Manchester City. Her comments about finding “happiness” at Arsenal and emerging from “such a dark place” suggest that the move represents more than just a career decision; it appears to be a pathway to personal fulfillment and professional satisfaction.
At 27, Kelly is entering what should be the peak years of her career, and her decision to prioritize playing time and team success over potentially more lucrative offers demonstrates a mature approach to career management. Her recall to the England squad for Euro 2025 following her Champions League final performance suggests that regular playing time at Arsenal could be crucial for maintaining her international career.
The three-year contract being discussed would take Kelly through to the age of 30, providing her with stability during what could be the most productive years of her career. This security, combined with Arsenal’s obvious ambition and commitment to success, creates the perfect environment for Kelly to reach her full potential.
Kelly’s permanent signing would add to what is already a competitive forward line at Arsenal, creating healthy competition for places that could elevate the performance levels of all players involved. Her experience and winning mentality, developed through her Champions League success, would provide valuable leadership within the squad.
The presence of established England internationals like Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy, with whom Kelly has previous relationships, should facilitate her integration into the squad. These existing relationships provide a foundation for team cohesion that could prove crucial in high-pressure situations.
The free transfer nature of Kelly’s potential signing represents exceptional value for Arsenal in the current transfer market. Players of Kelly’s caliber and experience typically command significant transfer fees, making her availability on a free transfer a rare opportunity that Arsenal appears determined to capitalize upon.
The three-year contract being discussed would provide Arsenal with the option to either extend Kelly’s deal or potentially generate a transfer fee should she choose to move elsewhere in the future. This flexibility represents sound business practice and demonstrates Arsenal’s increasingly sophisticated approach to player recruitment and contract management.
Should the signing be completed as expected, Kelly’s presence at Arsenal could have implications that extend well beyond her individual contributions on the pitch. Her experience, winning mentality, and leadership qualities could prove invaluable in mentoring younger players and maintaining the high standards that have become synonymous with Arsenal Women.
The signing would also send a clear message to other potential targets that Arsenal remains committed to competing at the highest level and is willing to invest in quality players to achieve their objectives. This reputation for ambition and success could prove crucial in future transfer negotiations.
The potential permanent signing of Chloe Kelly represents a convergence of factors that makes the deal beneficial for all parties involved. For Kelly, it offers the opportunity to continue her career at a club where she has already experienced success and personal fulfillment. For Arsenal, it provides the chance to secure a proven performer who has already demonstrated her value in their most important matches.
The combination of Kelly’s proven ability, her existing relationship with the club, and the free transfer nature of the deal makes this one of the most sensible and strategically sound signings that Arsenal could make. As the negotiations enter their final stages, there appears to be genuine optimism that a deal can be completed that satisfies all parties and sets the foundation for continued success.
With Arsenal preparing for another campaign that will see them competing across multiple competitions, the addition of a player of Kelly’s quality and experience could prove to be the catalyst for even greater achievements in the coming season. The completion of this signing would represent not just a successful piece of transfer business, but a statement of intent that Arsenal Women are determined to build upon their recent success and establish themselves as a dominant force in both domestic and European competition.
As the summer transfer window progresses, all eyes will be on the official confirmation of Kelly’s permanent return to Arsenal, a move that appears to represent the perfect alignment of player ambitions and club objectives. For Arsenal Women, securing Kelly’s signature would represent another significant step forward in their journey toward sustained excellence at the highest level of women’s football.
