Brighton are close to selling Danny Welbeck to Chelsea after a breakthrough in negotiations between the clubs.
The 35-year-old has agreed personal terms, and all parties now expect the transfer to be completed.
Ben Jacobs reports that the deal could be finalised this week. A transfer fee has not been disclosed, while neither Brighton nor Chelsea have officially announced an agreement.
Brighton selling Danny Welbeck leaves major attacking decision
Welbeck has remained involved in Fabian Hürzeler’s pre-season preparations while talks have taken place. He was pictured training with Albion during their camp in Austria earlier this week.
ReadBrighton reported on Tuesday that Welbeck continued to train normally, despite Chelsea making progress towards an agreement. The latest update suggests his departure is now considerably closer.
Welbeck signed a one-year contract extension in March, keeping him at the Amex Stadium until June 2027. Brighton were willing to allow the striker to leave if Chelsea met their valuation and the player wanted the move.
The former England international scored 13 goals in 37 Premier League appearances last season. It was the best league return of his career and made him Brighton’s leading scorer.
His departure would remove one of the most experienced players from a young Albion squad. Welbeck has also provided a reliable central option while Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas continue their development.
Kostoulas could now receive a larger role under Hürzeler. However, Brighton must decide whether their current forwards offer enough depth for a season which includes Premier League and European football.
Welbeck joined Brighton on a free transfer in October 2020 and has since made more than 200 appearances. The proposed Chelsea move would end a six-year spell on the south coast.
A medical has not yet been reported. However, the breakthrough in talks and Welbeck’s agreement over personal terms mean Brighton are now preparing for his departure.
