Chelsea in talks to sign Brighton striker Welbeck

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Chelsea are in discussions over a move for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck, with the 35-year-old said to be interested in joining new manager Xabi Alonso at Stamford Bridge. According to the BBC, Chelsea believe there is a realistic chance of completing a deal, while Brighton have declined to comment.

The reported interest comes as Chelsea reassess a recruitment strategy heavily focused on younger players. The BBC cites influential owner Behdad Eghbali’s April acknowledgement that the approach may need adjusting, and frames Welbeck as a possible experienced addition. Welbeck, a former Manchester United, Sunderland, Arsenal and Watford forward, scored 13 league goals in 37 appearances for Brighton last season, his best Premier League return. Since arriving from Watford in 2020, he has scored 51 times in 201 matches for Brighton. He signed a one-year extension in March, leaving his contract due to run until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Chelsea’s striker situation remains unsettled. BBC Sport says Joao Pedro is viewed as the club’s leading option, while Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are also on the books. Guiu is reportedly available either on loan or permanently, with Chelsea valuing him at about £25m, while Jackson is open to leaving amid Aston Villa interest after returning from Bayern Munich.

The potential Welbeck move would add another storyline to a busy Chelsea summer, after arrivals including Morgan Rogers, Marco Palestra and progress toward a deal for Maxence Lacroix, according to the BBC.