Chloe Kelly has launched a scathing attack on Manchester City, claiming the club were trying to “assassinate her character” after she sealed a dramatic deadline-day loan move to Arsenal.

City prevented Kelly from joining Manchester United on Thursday, and in doing so allowed Arsenal to hijack the move for the England international just hours before the 11pm deadline.

But immediately after the loan move until the end of the season was confirmed, Kelly issued a statement to hit out at what she claimed were “false accusations” against her.

Writing on her Instagram story, Kelly wrote: “So disappointed to find out tonight that people at the club are briefing journalists against me if I am to sign at a club before the window shuts.

“They’ve called reporters to assassinate my character and tried to plant negative stories about me in the football media, of which is false accusations. Women should look after each other and build each other up, not shoot them down to protect their employers. To those responsible, I am disappointed in this. As said in my previous statement, I just want to find happiness again.”

Telegraph Sport has contacted Manchester City for a response, and City manager Gareth Taylor is scheduled to speak at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Kelly’s claims come after she posted an initial statement on social media on Wednesday evening in a bid to push through a move away from City. Kelly said her “mental well-being” was suffering as City “dictated” which club she could join in the January transfer window.

She also said she would no longer “tolerate” someone’s “negative behaviour”, although she did not name that person.

City were willing to accept Arsenal’s bid and Kelly, 27, who started her career with the north London club, will now join them for the rest of the campaign. Kelly joined Arsenal aged 12 in 2010 and went on to make 19 appearances for the first team between 2015 and 2018. It is understood Arsenal will pay Kelly’s wages for the rest of the season.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said: “Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season.

“She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.”

City have always been reluctant to allow Kelly to join a rival, with United two points ahead of them in the Women’s Super League table.

Arsenal are also competing against City for a place in the Champions League, with the  clubs playing each other in the WSL on Sunday. They will then face off again in the semi-final of the League Cup next week.

Kelly will not be permitted to play against her parent club in either of those games.

Telegraph Sport understands Brighton also showed an interest but Kelly but she turned down that opportunity.

The player, who is out of contract this summer, has struggled for game time this season, starting only once in the WSL – against West Ham United in October – and making just six appearances.

Kelly scored the winning goal in England’s European Championship final triumph over Germany at Wembley in 2022, but Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman has admitted that the forward’s lack of minutes for her club was a “concern”.

The forward knows regular football is a must if she is to seal a place in the England squad for Euro 2025.

Kelly and City reached an impasse over new contract talks last year and it is understood her relationship with manager Gareth Taylor has become fractured over the past 12 months.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Kelly said: “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 whilst 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 well-being. 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 [it] 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 whilst 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.”