Chelsea plot surprise move for Brighton & Hove Albion star

Chelsea are reportedly contemplating signing Brighton & Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck. The 35-year-old has been at the Amex since moving from Watford in October 2020.

Welbeck is coming off a decent 13-goal Premier League campaign last season, his most prolific for Brighton, marking the second straight season he struck at least 10 times in the league.

In 201 games across competitions, the former Arsenal man has struck 51 times and also provided 18 assists for Fabian Hurzeler’s side. With his contract running out next summer, Daily Mail football reporter Kieran Gill has reported that the Blues are interested in a move for the 35-year-old.

The Blues have been active in the transfer market this summer, with former Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso assuming the reins. They have snapped up winger Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, right-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta and winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon.

Meanwhile, right-back Marc Cucurella has moved to Real Madrid, midfielder Andrey Santos went to Manchester United, while seven other players have had permanent exits from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso hails ‘great signing’ Morgan Rogers

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso welcomed the signing of winger Morgan Rogers, who has arrived from Aston Villa on a British record £117 million deal, having starred for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Rogers, 24, is coming off a fine season at Villa Park, scoring 14 times and assisting 12 in 54 games across competitions as Unai Emery’s side won the UEFA Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League.

“For sure, it’s a great signing,” Alonso said in the pre-game press conference ahead of the friendly with Western Sydney Wanderers. “In that position, we needed an important player, and there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers. His signing means a lot for everyone and for the players that are already here.

“One of his best qualities is that he is flexible. He plays in that pocket position, close to the striker, close to our number 10 – but he has also played on the right side even though he is more used to coming from the left.”

The new Chelsea man delivered two assists in eight games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Thomas Tuchel’s side beat two-time champions France 6-4 in the third-place play-off after losing 2-1 to holders Argentina in the semi-finals.