Chelsea open Danny Welbeck transfer talks as Xabi Alonso makes surprise move

Chelsea are making waves in the summer transfer window, with Danny Welbeck now emerging as on of Xabi Alonso's top targets

It has emerged that club to club talks have commenced between the Blues and the Seagulls, with a view to moving the centre-forward on to Stamford Bridge ahead of the new season.

At 35 and into the twilight years of his career, Welbeck rolled back the years with Brighton last term, bagging 14 goals and two assists across all competitions.

And as a result, the top brass in West London have kicked-off talks to secure his services ahead of 2026/27 - given last season's attacking line struggled for consistency.

While Joao Pedro managed 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League of his own, Liam Delap found the back of the net just once despite making 28 appearances, sparking concern over his suitability to the club.

The acquisition of Welbeck would ultimately bolster Chelsea's attacking threat, especially if Xabi Alonso can get him playing at his best.

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While Chelsea may have endured a slow start to the summer transfer window, it now appears as though the big wigs of the Blues have started to put the proverbial wheels in motion.

On top of the arrivals of Dastan Satpaev, Denner, Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Marco Palestra, Chelsea recently announced the £117million signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.

The versatile attacking-midfielder has signed a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033, and lands as one of the Premier League's most impressive young talents.

Speaking about his arrival with the official Chelsea website, Rogers said: "I'm so excited. For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid.

"I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."

Alonso, meanwhile, was quick to outline his plans for the Englishman. He told the media: "In that position we needed an important player and I'm sure there were not many better options than Morgan Rogers.

"You need players who can have that almost instant impact and I'm sure Morgan won't need much time to adapt to the club, the system and his team-mates. That was the idea, to get a top player, and Morgan is one of them."