Chelsea is on the verge of signing striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the player expected to undergo a medical before potentially joining the team on their tour in Hong Kong. The London club is reportedly close to finalizing a two-year contract for the 35-year-old forward, who would bring significant experience to the squad. This move aligns with Chelsea's adjusted transfer strategy, which now prioritizes more experienced, "ready-made" players.
Welbeck scored 13 Premier League goals last season and had 12 months remaining on his contract with Brighton. If the deal is completed, he could join his new teammates on their pre-season tour, which includes stops in Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The team is currently in Sydney, Australia, for a friendly against Tottenham before heading to Hong Kong.
This potential acquisition comes as manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly preparing to let as many as three strikers leave the club this summer. Chelsea's current striking options include Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, and Joao Pedro. While Joao Pedro is considered not for sale, at least two, and possibly three, of the other forwards may be moved on through sales or loans. Delap, in particular, faced challenges during a recent friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers, where Chelsea secured a 6-4 victory.
Chelsea's transfer targets this summer have included other experienced players. The club had previously shown interest in signing Granit Xhaka, 33, but Sunderland declined to sell their captain. They also explored acquiring John Stones, 32, as a free agent. In other transfer news, Maxence Lacroix, 26, is nearing a move from Crystal Palace for a reported £52 million, and Morgan Rogers, 24, has signed for £117 million.
When asked about the potential signing of Welbeck after the friendly match, Alonso offered no comment.