Chelsea agree Welbeck deal – with second signing confirmed to follow

29 Jul 2026 06:31 BST | 4 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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Chelsea are close to finalising a deal to sign Danny Welbeck after receiving permission from Brighton for the striker to undergo a medical with the Blues.

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Welbeck has emerged as a shock target for Chelsea as Xabi Alonso seeks to add experience to his young squad, with Jordan Henderson also close to joining from Brentford.

Current ETV

Danny Welbeck

F (C)

Brighton

Danny Welbeck

F (C)

Brighton

ETV Range

€3M - €4.5M

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have an agreement in principle with Welbeck over a two-year contract and a medical is expected to take place by the end of the week.

Although no fee has been revealed as of yet, Welbeck is in the last year of his contract with Brighton and a deal of around €7 million has been suggested by unconfirmed sources.

Should everything go to plan Welbeck is expected to link up with Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and provide some much-needed Premier League experience and goals to Alonso’s side.

The deal could also allow Chelsea to accelerate the sale of at least two strikers, with Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and newly-arrived Emmanuel Emegha all available for transfer.

Chelsea make transition to mature signings with Welbeck and Henderson deals

Having not signed a player above the age of 26 since 2022, Chelsea have sported the youngest squad in the Premier League in recent seasons but Alonso is desperate to balance youth with some crucial experience after a disappointing campaign.

The Blues have already failed to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland, while an approach for John Stones was considered but the 32-year-old is now set to join Inter after leaving Manchester City.

© IMAGO - Jordan Henderson is also set to sign for Chelsea.

Chelsea are also closing in on the signing of Henderson, with Brentford honouring a gentleman’s agreement to allow the 36-year-old to leave on a free transfer despite having a year remaining on his contract.

Henderson is understood to already have given his approval to joining Chelsea and it is likely the England international also links up with Welbeck in Hong Kong in the coming days.