Chelsea’s new era under Xabi Alonso has already seen plenty of movement in the transfer market.
The Blues completed a club-record deal for Morgan Rogers, while Marc Cucurella departed for Real Madrid and was replaced by 21-year-old full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
They have also secured the arrivals of Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha through pre-agreed deals with Sporting CP and Strasbourg.
Now, Chelsea are set to make two more additions — although they are not the type of signings many supporters would have expected.
Chelsea Close to Signing Welbeck and Henderson
Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign Danny Welbeck, while Jordan Henderson is expected to leave Brentford and join the Blues on a free transfer.
Welbeck, 35, has agreed a two-year contract and has been given permission by Brighton to complete his medical ahead of the move. Chelsea have also agreed a fee with the Seagulls, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward has scored 90 Premier League goals in 400 appearances and would become the oldest signing of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era — unless Henderson completes his move first.
The expected arrival of Henderson, also 35, highlights Alonso’s desire to bring more experience into a Chelsea squad that has been the youngest in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
The midfielder still has a contract with Brentford until 2027 but is set to negotiate his exit. He previously enjoyed a trophy-filled spell at Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League among six major honours, before spells with Ajax, Al Ettifaq and Brentford.
Chelsea’s focus on youth has been central to their recruitment strategy, but Alonso appears keen to add proven leaders as the club looks to compete consistently for major trophies.
