Chelsea are reportedly in shock talks to sign veteran forward Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Hove Albion. According to multiple reports from the Daily Mail and The Athletic, Chelsea are in discussions to bring Welbeck to Stamford Bridge for a reported £10m fee.
Welbeck, 35, enjoyed a resurgence last season, scoring 13 goals in the Premier League for Brighton. The English forward's impressive form led to calls for him to be included in England's World Cup squad, despite his advancing age.
Welbeck's experience would be a welcome addition to Chelsea's youthful squad, particularly under new manager Xabi Alonso. Alonso has a history of seeking experienced leaders, as seen in his time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he signed Granit Xhaka.
Welbeck's arrival would likely cast doubt on the futures of both Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea. Delap struggled in his first season at the club, while Jackson spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Welbeck's willingness to come off the bench and play 20-30 minutes per game as a closer could make him a valuable asset for Chelsea. He would provide a fine back-up option to Joao Pedro, Chelsea's undisputed No. 9 and starter.
The proposed deal seems to work for everyone involved, given Chelsea's willingness to provide Welbeck with opportunities to score and Welbeck's apparent willingness to contribute in a supporting role.
Chelsea's transfer window is set to heat up in the coming weeks, with the club still looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
