Chelsea finalising Danny Welbeck deal after Brighton grant medical | OneFootball

Chelsea are finalising a deal to sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton have permitted the striker to undergo a medical which, if all goes to plan, is expected by the end of the week and would allow the 35-year-old to join the squad in Hong Kong. There is an agreement in principle on a two-year contract.

As reported by The Athletic, Chelsea explored a move for Welbeck earlier this week, with manager Xabi Alonso attracted by his leadership and centre-forward qualities. Welbeck remains under contract at Brighton until next summer.

He hit a career-best 13 Premier League goals last season as Brighton finished eighth and qualified for the Conference League.

After recent windows focused on players under 25, Chelsea have pivoted towards experience, attempting to sign Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, 33, and showing interest in John Stones, 32, after his Manchester City exit as a free agent.

Since joining Brighton from Watford in 2020, Welbeck has produced 51 goals and 18 assists in 201 appearances.

He has flourished under head coach Fabian Hurzeler over the past two years, scoring 25 in 76 appearances, including 21 non-penalty goals in the Premier League.

Welbeck stays high, runs the channels and does his best work in the box. He posted double-figure league tallies in 2024-25 and 2025-26 for the first time in a top-flight career that began in 2008, scoring with either foot and his head.

Since the start of last season he has had as many big chances as Cole Palmer, 37 with 17 converted, while only Joao Pedro has more for Chelsea with 43.

Source: NY Times