Brighton striker Danny Welbeck to join Chelsea on two-year deal, set for medical

Danny Welbeck has reached an agreement to transfer from Brighton to Chelsea, with a medical scheduled at Stamford Bridge, according to the Press Association.

The 35-year-old forward plans to fly to Hong Kong to join Chelsea’s pre-season tour after finalizing a two-year contract.

Welbeck emerged as a surprise signing candidate for Chelsea after achieving a personal best of 13 Premier League goals in 37 matches last season. His transfer is likely to affect the futures of other players at the club, including Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.

Delap currently sits as the second-choice striker behind João Pedro, who had a standout season with 15 league goals and recently scored a hat trick in a friendly match against Western Sydney Wanderers. Meanwhile, Jackson is back from a loan at Bayern Munich and has drawn interest from Aston Villa.

Delap was anticipated to receive another opportunity to prove his worth after a challenging debut season following his £30million transfer from Ipswich a year ago. However, Welbeck’s signing raises questions about Delap’s future at Chelsea.

Welbeck’s acquisition is a pivotal moment in Chelsea’s new transfer strategy under manager Xabi Alonso, aiming to recruit more seasoned players. This marks a notable shift from the club’s previous focus on acquiring young talent.

With a wealth of experience from over 400 Premier League appearances, Welbeck’s arrival signals a clear change in direction for Chelsea as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and future competitions.

Alonso also has Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha joining the squad and 20-year-old Marc Guiu, who has seen limited playtime since arriving from Barcelona in 2024.