Chelsea are evaluating the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion striker Welbeck, according to talkSPORT. Negotiations between Chelsea and Welbeck are still in the early stages, and the player has 12 months left on his contract with the Seagulls.

Brighton & Hove Albion will not stand in Welbeck's way if both parties can agree on a reasonable fee.

The 35-year-old striker has been with Brighton & Hove Albion since October 2020.

To date, Welbeck has made 201 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion in all competitions, scoring more than 50 goals.

Last season was his most prolific in terms of goals, scoring 13 goals in 37 league games.

Welbeck's goal tally ranked third among English strikers in the Premier League, behind Watkins and Calvert-Lewin, leading many to believe he had a chance to be included in Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup.

Welbeck's former Brighton & Hove Albion teammate Adam Lallana was one of them, believing the striker's experience would be valuable in an international tournament.

However, Welbeck was ultimately not called up, with Tuchel opting for Harry Kane, Watkins, and Ivan Toney.

One in, one out?

Chelsea's interest in Welbeck comes after they recently signed striker Emega from sister club Strasbourg.

Despite the recent acquisition, foreign media reports suggest the Blues are already willing to listen to offers for the 23-year-old.

Emega did not travel with the Blues to Australia for pre-season due to injury.

The Dutch international scored 8 goals for Strasbourg last season but missed 33 games due to injury.

Sean Dyche's view on Chelsea's pursuit of Welbeck

Former Premier League manager Sean Dyche believes Chelsea's consideration of signing Welbeck indicates that the club or new manager Xabi Alonso has realized the team needs experience.

Dyche also said that Chelsea's previous unsuccessful pursuit of Xhaka also confirms this assessment. Xhaka played under Alonso when he coached Leverkusen.

This also means that Chelsea's transfer philosophy has changed in recent years. In previous seasons, the Blues were more focused on pursuing the most promising young players in football.

"If you look at their pattern over the last few years, it feels like they've always been buying young players," Dyche told talkSPORT.

"They haven't had as much Premier League experience. Xhaka was heavily rumored, but it didn't happen in the end.

"If they want Danny Welbeck next, he (Alonso) probably just wants to find some players who have seen the big stage, experienced games, and know how to play. Such seasoned players can influence others and help everyone improve together.

"This is an old-school way of thinking, which is to find a group of good players and let them influence the young players, bringing the dressing room culture and environment up to the standard they should be at. I think that's what they're thinking.

"Danny Welbeck has never had a bad word said about him. He's done an excellent job at Brighton & Hove Albion over the years, with strong game understanding and professionalism. He looks like a true professional."

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