Chelsea are in advanced negotiations to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck as the Blues look to add experience to their squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 35-year-old former England international is understood to be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, with growing optimism within Chelsea that an agreement can be reached in the coming days.
Welbeck has emerged as a key target as Chelsea seek to balance their youthful squad with proven Premier League experience. The move reflects the club’s evolving recruitment strategy after co-owner Behdad Eghbali acknowledged earlier this year that Chelsea’s policy of signing predominantly young players required a “tweak.”
The veteran forward enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2025/26, scoring a personal-best 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances for Brighton. Since joining the Seagulls from Watford in 2020, Welbeck has netted 51 goals in 201 matches, establishing himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers.
Brighton have declined to comment on the reports. Welbeck signed a one-year contract extension in March, keeping him at the Amex Stadium until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Welbeck comes amid uncertainty over the futures of several attacking players.
João Pedro is currently regarded as the club’s first-choice striker, while Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson all face uncertain futures.
Guiu is reportedly available for either a permanent transfer or a loan move, with Chelsea valuing the young Spaniard at around £25 million.
Jackson, who recently returned to Stamford Bridge following a loan spell at Bayern Munich, is also open to leaving despite initially being expected to remain at the club, with Aston Villa among the teams monitoring his situation.
Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30 million last summer, is increasingly expected to depart after struggling to establish himself, while questions also remain over the future of Dutch forward Emmanuel Emegha, despite his recent arrival from Strasbourg.
Chelsea have already enjoyed a busy transfer window, completing the club-record £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers, adding full-back Marco Palestra, and moving closer to sealing a deal for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
The potential arrival of Welbeck would add valuable experience, leadership and Premier League know-how to Enzo Maresca’s squad as Chelsea continue their preparations for the 2026/27 campaign.
