Chelsea is preparing a transfer offer for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck, according to transfer expert David Ornstein.
The 35-year-old veteran has been a key player for Brighton, scoring 13 goals and providing one assist in 37 Premier League appearances last season.
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Welbeck is under contract with Brighton until 2027 and is valued for his experience and leadership, qualities that new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso wants to add to his youthful squad.
Ornstein reported that Chelsea's interest is at an early stage, but there is optimism on all sides that a deal can be done.
Welbeck's Impact at Brighton
Welbeck joined Brighton in 2020 on a free transfer and has made 201 appearances, scoring 51 goals and assisting 18 times.
He has been Brighton's most reliable attacker over the last two seasons, hitting double figures in Premier League goals for the first time in 2024-25 with 10 goals, and improving to 13 goals last term.
The striker also plays a key leadership role within manager Fabian Hurzeler's squad, influencing younger players, which adds to his appeal for Chelsea.
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Losing Welbeck would be a huge blow for Brighton, as the club has already lost experienced players such as James Milner, Solly March, Joel Veltman, and Adam Webster this summer.
Brighton's recent striker signings have struggled to fill Welbeck's role, with Georginio underperforming and younger players like Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas not yet ready to lead the attack regularly at Premier League level.
Evan Ferguson, another forward on Brighton's roster, missed much of last season due to injury and has not yet appeared in pre-season training as his future remains uncertain.
Since Chelsea's new ownership arrived in 2022, the club has spent nearly £300 million on players from Brighton, including Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro, demonstrating the strong transfer relationship between the two clubs.
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Paul Barber, Brighton's deputy chairman and chief executive, referred to Chelsea as "our best customers," highlighting the ongoing business between the clubs.
