Chelsea are in advanced negotiations to sign Danny Welbeck, who currently plays for Brighton, and would also have Jordan Henderson on their list of potential reinforcements.
The two athletes, aged 35 and 36 respectively, emerged as unexpected names to strengthen the squad led by Xabi Alonso.
Welbeck scored 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances last season and still has a year left on his contract. There is optimism regarding the completion of the deal, as Brighton would be willing to release the striker for a fair price.
In another move considered surprising, the London club would be in talks to acquire English midfielder Henderson, who plays for Brentford.
Henderson also has a year remaining on his contract, but reports suggest that Brentford would be inclined to release him free of charge.
The former Liverpool captain played 34 games for Brentford last season and was part of England’s World Cup squad. He suffered a broken arm after falling into advertising boards while celebrating a victory against Mexico.
If the deal for Welbeck comes to fruition, the likelihood of departures at Stamford Bridge would increase, especially considering the uncertainty that already hangs over the future of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.
Delap is seen as the second option in attack behind João Pedro, who performed remarkably well in his debut campaign last season, scoring 15 league goals. Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and attracted interest from Aston Villa.
Former Manchester City academy player Liam Delap was expected to have a second year of opportunities after an unsuccessful debut campaign, which followed his £30 million ($40 million) move from Ipswich a year ago. However, this new scenario seems to cast doubt on its permanence.
Interest in Welbeck and Henderson would also signal an important step in Chelsea’s transfer policy, which seeks more experienced and established players under new manager Alonso.
Welbeck, who scored twice in Brighton’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge last season, signed a new 12-month contract in March, valid until the end of the 2026-27 season.
Alonso also has Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha, signed from partner club Strasbourg, and 20-year-old Marc Guiu, who has had few opportunities in the league since his transfer from Barcelona in 2024.
