Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Danny Welbeck, while Jordan Henderson is closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge after preparing to terminate his Brentford contract.
Welbeck, 35, has agreed a two-year contract and has been granted permission by Brighton to undergo a medical. A transfer fee has also been agreed, although the amount remains undisclosed. The experienced striker is expected to join Chelsea's pre-season tour in Hong Kong following Saturday's clash with Tottenham in Australia.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward will become Chelsea's oldest signing under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership, until Henderson, 36, completes his expected arrival.
New head coach Xabi Alonso is keen to add experience to a squad that has been the Premier League's youngest over the past two seasons. Chelsea's youthful recruitment strategy has faced criticism after the club finished 10th last season without winning a trophy.
The Blues have already signed Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace and Marco Palestra from Atalanta, while club-record signing Morgan Rogers also arrived earlier this summer. Chelsea also remain interested in reuniting Alonso with Granit Xhaka, whom he managed at Bayer Leverkusen.
Welbeck arrives with an impressive Premier League pedigree, scoring 90 goals in 400 top-flight appearances and becoming Brighton's all-time leading Premier League scorer since joining from Watford in 2021.
His signing could increase competition in attack, with Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Marc Guiu among the players who could leave on loan or permanently. Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha has also joined from Strasbourg and is expected to compete for a place in the first-team squad.
Meanwhile, Henderson would bring leadership and winning experience after successful spells with Liverpool, Ajax and Al Ettifaq. The England international is expected to strengthen a midfield featuring Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo, and incoming youngster ValentÃn Barco.
