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Chelsea in advanced talks to sign ex-Arsenal and Man Utd forward
Jul 27 2026 14:49 · By Tom Olver · 5 Reads
Brighton star Danny Welbeck has emerged as a target for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea are working on a sensational transfer move to sign Brighton forward Danny Welbeck.
Welbeck has entered into the final 12 months of his current deal at the Amex Stadium and Chelsea have been alerted to a potential deal as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements.
According to the BBC, Chelsea have held ‘advanced talks’ for Welbeck and the 35-year-old striker is ‘keen’ on pushing through a switch to Stamford Bridge.
It’s claimed the Blues are optimistic that a deal can be struck for the former Manchester United and Arsenal man, who has been capped 42 times by the England national team.
The report adds that Chelsea’s hierarchy have relaxed their purely youth-led transfer policy this summer and are actively pursuing players they consider to be ‘more Premier League ready’ for the new season.
Welbeck has further enhanced his reputation since joining Brighton from Watford back in 2020, racking up 51 goals and 18 assists in 201 appearances while proving himself to be an invaluable member of the dressing room.
There were widespread calls for Welbeck to be included in England’s World Cup squad earlier this summer, but Thomas Tuchel ignored the clamour and instead decided to call up Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins as cover for Harry Kane.
Welbeck is out of contract in the summer of 2027 (Picture: Getty)
The England international has made over 200 appearances for the Seagulls (Picture: Getty)
Liam Delap badly struggled in his debut season at Stamford Bridge last term, managing just two goals in 47 appearances, and Chelsea are said to be open to offers for the former Ipswich man.
Emmanuel Emgeha is also deemed surplus to requirements in west London, while Marc Guiu is likely to leave the club either on loan or on a permanent basis.
Nicolas Jackson’s Chelsea future remains uncertain following his return from a loan spell with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Welbeck has been with Brighton for the past six years (Picture: Getty)
The Senegal international was left out of Alonso’s squad for Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia, and Aston Villa are believed to be monitoring the situation.