Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Jordan Henderson on a free transfer from Brentford.
After missing out on Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, the Stamford Bridge club have moved for 36-year-old Henderson to fulfil a role on the pitch and crucially in the dressing room.
As Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed, Chelsea are already closing on a move for Danny Welbeck as manager Xabi Alonso looks to add older heads to a young squad.
Alonso has determined that the squad dynamic needs to change to help Chelsea achieve their goals and maintain a successful challenge to rivals.
There are a number of clubs interested in Henderson, who is still recovering from a fractured arm suffered during the World Cup, including two other Premier League sides, but Chelsea are favourites to sign him.
Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Brentford veteran Jordan Henderson
It comes after Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed talks with Brighton’s Danny Welbeck
New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (left) is keen to add experience to his squad, with 35-year-old Welbeck (right) a contender
Earlier on Monday, Daily Mail Sport revealed how 35-year-old Brighton striker Welbeck has emerged as a player of interest within Stamford Bridge, and is now a contender to join the Blues squad under Alonso.
Welbeck has scored 46 goals in 176 games in the Premier League for the Seagulls, having previously played for Manchester United and Arsenal, among others.
Chelsea currently have five strikers on their books in Joao Pedro, who is considered untouchable, Emmanuel Emegha, Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu.
The Blues have been looking at sales or loans to trim down their options up front.
Welbeck scored 13 times in the league for Brighton in 2025-26, and was considered unfortunate not to make the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
Joao Pedro and Delap are currently on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, with Emegha absent due to injury. Jackson is not involved due to his run at the World Cup with Senegal and Guiu has not been selected.
Welbeck joined Brighton in 2020 and triggered a one-year contract extension in March. If he moves to Stamford Bridge he would add to the lengthy list of signings Chelsea have made from Brighton in recent years – including Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Joao Pedro.
