Welbeck Set for Chelsea Medical After Brighton Agreement
Chelsea have agreed an undisclosed fee with Brighton for the transfer of veteran striker Danny Welbeck, with the 35-year-old set to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge.
The former England international, who has one year remaining on his Brighton contract, has been granted permission to complete his medical after productive talks between the two Premier League clubs.
Welbeck enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2025/26, scoring 13 Premier League goals after netting 10 the previous campaign, convincing Chelsea that he can add valuable experience and leadership to Xabi Alonso’s squad.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Welbeck represents a departure from their recent transfer policy of signing younger players.
The last time the club paid a transfer fee for a player older than 26 was when they signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona four years ago, while it has been two years since they fielded a player over the age of 30.
Welbeck’s expected arrival follows Chelsea’s summer recruitment drive, which has already seen the club sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a British record £117 million deal, while they are also closing in on Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.
His signing is also likely to increase uncertainty over the futures of strikers Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu as Chelsea continue reshaping their attacking options.
