Chelsea in advanced talks to sign ex-Arsenal and Man Utd forward
Chelsea are working on a sensational transfer move to sign Brighton forward Danny Welbeck.
Welbeck has entered into the final 12 months of his current deal at the Amex Stadium and Chelsea have been alerted to a potential deal as they scour the market for attacking reinforcements.
According to the BBC, Chelsea have held ‘advanced talks’ for Welbeck and the 35-year-old striker is ‘keen’ on pushing through a switch to Stamford Bridge.
It’s claimed the Blues are optimistic that a deal can be struck for the former Manchester United and Arsenal man, who has been capped 42 times by the England national team.
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The report adds that Chelsea’s hierarchy have relaxed their purely youth-led transfer policy this summer and are actively pursuing players they consider to be ‘more Premier League ready’ for the new season.
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Welbeck has further enhanced his reputation since joining Brighton from Watford back in 2020, racking up 51 goals and 18 assists in 201 appearances while proving himself to be an invaluable member of the dressing room.
There were widespread calls for Welbeck to be included in England’s World Cup squad earlier this summer, but Thomas Tuchel ignored the clamour and instead decided to call up Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins as cover for Harry Kane.
Liam Delap badly struggled in his debut season at Stamford Bridge last term, managing just two goals in 47 appearances, and Chelsea are said to be open to offers for the former Ipswich man.
Emmanuel Emgeha is also deemed surplus to requirements in west London, while Marc Guiu is likely to leave the club either on loan or on a permanent basis.
Nicolas Jackson’s Chelsea future remains uncertain following his return from a loan spell with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
The Senegal international was left out of Alonso’s squad for Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia, and Aston Villa are believed to be monitoring the situation.
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Away from their proposed move for Welbeck, Chelsea bosses have also been putting the finishing touches on a deal to sign Crystal Palace and France defender Maxence Lacroix.
Lacroix informed Palace of his desire to leave Selhurst Park at the end of last season and Chelsea have wrapped up a £52m agreement for the 26-year-old.
The former Wolfsburg centre-half is understood to have a completed a medical with the Blues and an official announcement confirming his arrival is expected over the coming days.
He is set to follow Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra and Morgan Rogers through the doors in what has been a productive start to the transfer window in preparation for Alonso’s opening year at the helm.
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/27/chelsea-eyeing-shock-transfer-move-ex-arsenal-man-utd-forward-29234653/