Danny Welbeck Chelsea move nears completion as the Brighton striker receives medical approval before a reported two-year deal at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Brighton forward Danny Welbeck after the experienced striker received permission to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move to Stamford Bridge, as the club looks to add leadership and Premier League experience to its squad.

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The Danny Welbeck Chelsea move is expected to be completed on a two-year contract, with the 35-year-old forward set to join Chelsea’s squad during their pre-season preparations in Hong Kong next week.

The transfer forms part of new head coach Xabi Alonso’s plans to bring greater balance to a young Chelsea team that has lacked experienced figures in recent seasons.

The Blues fielded the Premier League’s youngest squad across the previous two campaigns, a factor widely considered to have contributed to inconsistent performances.

Chelsea endured a difficult previous season, finishing 10th in the Premier League and ending the campaign without a trophy.

Club co-owner Behdad Eghbali acknowledged towards the end of the season that the club’s recruitment approach required a “tweak”, leading to a greater focus on proven performers.

Welbeck arrives with extensive top-flight experience after spells with Manchester United, Arsenal, Watford and Brighton.

Since joining Brighton on a free transfer in 2021, the England international has established himself as a key figure at the club and became Brighton’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.

The striker has scored 90 goals in 400 Premier League appearances, bringing a wealth of experience to a Chelsea attack undergoing further changes.

At Stamford Bridge, Welbeck is expected to provide competition and support for a forward line that includes João Pedro, while the futures of players such as Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu remain uncertain amid possible loan or permanent departures.

Chelsea are also continuing their efforts to strengthen other areas of the squad.

The club have submitted an offer for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, who previously worked with Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, while discussions remain ongoing over a possible deal for Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Defensively, Chelsea are preparing to add Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace on a six-year agreement, pending official confirmation, while 21-year-old full-back Marco Palestra has joined from Atalanta.

Welbeck’s potential arrival reflects Chelsea’s shift towards combining emerging talent with experienced professionals as Xabi Alonso begins reshaping the squad.

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The move would mark another chapter in a long Premier League career for a forward whose consistency and professionalism have remained highly valued despite his advancing age.