Chloe Kelly has released an astonishing statement in an attempt to push through a move away from Manchester City.

The England forward said her “mental well-being” was suffering as the club “dictated” which team she could join in the January transfer window, which closes on Thursday.

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

Telegraph Sport first reported that Manchester United wanted to sign Kelly on loan and that the forward was keen on the move. But 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.

Telegraph Sport understands both United and Brighton and Hove Albion have placed bids to sign Kelly on loan but that United is her preferred move.

It is understood City are open to allowing Kelly to leave this month but have had only one offer deemed appropriate to date.

The forward, who is out of contract this summer, has struggled for game time this season, starting only once in the Women’s Super League – against West Ham United in October – and making just six appearances in total.

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 ensure her 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.”

The WSL transfer window shuts at 11pm on Thursday.