{"id":22144,"date":"2026-07-27T22:44:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:44:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22144"},"modified":"2026-07-27T22:44:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T22:44:23","slug":"danny-welbeck-to-man-united-transfer-request-made-amid-shock-chelsea-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22144","title":{"rendered":"Danny Welbeck to Man United transfer request made amid shock Chelsea move"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_9f853e\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck could be on the move this summer after enjoying a brilliant season which saw him help Brighton qualify for Europe again<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34361737\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Danny Welbeck applauds\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article34361737.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Arsenal-v-Brighton-Hove-Albion-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article34361737.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Arsenal-v-Brighton-Hove-Albion-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article34361737.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Arsenal-v-Brighton-Hove-Albion-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article34361737.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Arsenal-v-Brighton-Hove-Albion-Carabao-Cup-Fourth-Round.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Danny Welbeck could be on the move to Chelsea this summer\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Danny Welbeck could be on the move to Chelsea this summer<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rio Ferdinand has urged Danny Welbeck to snub Chelsea in favour of a sensational return to Manchester United. The United academy graduate is in dialogue with the Blues this summer as Xabi Alonso looks to bolster his attacking options at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Our sister title football.london understands that club-to-club negotiations have begun between Chelsea and Brighton &#038; Hove Albion, with a view to the centre-forward arriving in west London ahead of the new season. The 35-year-old rolled back the years with Brighton last term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The former United and England striker bagged 14 goals and two assists across all competitions for Fabian Hurzeler&#8217;s men to help them qualify for the Europa Conference League. And despite Chelsea not being involved in any European competition next term, it is understood that personal terms will not be a problem and he could very well be pulling on a Blues jersey come August.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article34146170.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Untitled-June-03-2026-at-091411-8jpeg.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-price-details__OpMC_\">\n<p>Various Prices<\/p>\n<p>Seat Unique<\/p>\n<p>Buy official packages at Seat Unique<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Official premium experiences at Old Trafford are available now for the 26\/27 Premier League season. Make it easier than ever to turn a regular fixture into something genuinely unforgettable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The surprise developments on Monday have led to Ferdinand, who shared a dressing room with Welbeck at Old Trafford, to plead with United to step in. The former centre-back has pointed out that Michael Carrick&#8217;s side will be able to offer Champions League football &#8211; unlike Alonso&#8217;s team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Posting on X, he said: &#8220;Welbs\u2026. Ignore + come back home! Champions League football next season in Manchester.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Welbeck made his Premier League debut for United as a 17-year-old, scoring in 2008 during Sir Alex Ferguson&#8217;s tenure. After gaining experience during several loan stints, he was fully integrated into the first team under Ferguson and also bagged nine league goals from just 25 appearances during David Moyes&#8217; single season at the helm.<\/p>\n<div class=\"HtmlEmbed_container__x6svQ\">\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The appointment of Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2014 signalled a new chapter for the club and it panned out better for some players than for others. While some of his colleagues thrived, it did not take long for Welbeck to realise that his future lay elsewhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The forward had grown frustrated during Moyes&#8217; reign, frequently forced to play on the left wing where he didn&#8217;t feel he could show his best qualities. It soon also became clear that, were he to assume a central striker role under Van Gaal, it wouldn&#8217;t be as the manager&#8217;s top choice, having not been named in any of his first three starting line-ups in the league.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He went on to join Premier League rivals Arsenal in August 2014 where he scored 32 goals in 126 appearances &#8211; winning two FA Cups under the guidance of Arsene Wenger.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And Welbeck admitted in November 2014, via the Mirror, that his decision to leave United was one he had contemplated for at least 12 months before the move to north London happened.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-32983630\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32983630\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.7346053772766696\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring for Manchester United\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article32983630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-174888221.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article32983630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-174888221.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article32983630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-174888221.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/article32983630.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-174888221.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Welbeck scored 29 goals in 142 games for Manchester United\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Welbeck scored 29 goals in 142 games for Manchester United<cite aria-label=\"Image: Victor Fraile\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Victor Fraile\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!<\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest news and analysis via the MEN\u2019s Manchester United Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cWhen you\u2019ve been somewhere for so long and then you\u2019re going to start a new chapter in your career, you\u2019ve got to think about it a lot. Over the past year or so, I started to think about what\u2019s best for me.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cAt the time I was playing on the left wing a lot and in a 4\u20134-2, which is very difficult for me because I can\u2019t make an impact on the game. I can play it to the best of my ability but that\u2019s not best for the team, and I could make a bigger impact playing in my preferred position.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cYou start to have thoughts but at that time you\u2019re still going to training and I was still giving 100 per cent and giving my all in every single game \u2013 that\u2019s just me, I\u2019m not going to change that. But you do start to think about what\u2019s best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Welbeck went on to spend a season at Watford in 2019\/20 before joining Brighton, where he has largely excelled ever since.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck could be on the move this summer after enjoying&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22144","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22144"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22144\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}