Danny Welbeck has been given permission to undergo a medical in the next 24 hours ahead of his imminent move to Chelsea.
Sources say Brighton have given the English striker permission to undergo a medical ahead of a return to the capital, after representing Arsenal from 2014 until 2019. Now, Welbeck is poised to become Chelsea's latest summer arrival. It is understood that, should things go smoothly and he completes his medical, he will link up with Alonso's squad on their pre-season tour and fly to Hong Kong.
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, the club appears to be pivoting towards more established players, with Welbeck's extensive experience of over 400 Premier League appearances exemplifying this revised policy. However, Chelsea's four senior strikers have an average age of just 23. Combined, they have made 269 Premier League appearances and scored 74 goals.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United forward, who enjoyed a career-best season last term with 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances for Brighton, is expected to sign a two-year deal. During his time on the south coast, Welbeck became Brighton's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, finding the back of the net 46 times. Exactly half of those strikes came under Hurzeler and the German manager couldn't sing his striker's praises enough when asked about him in May. Hurzeler said: "I think it's a sign of his professionalism, of how hard he works, of his daily work ethic. I'm really happy for Danny for his season." Asked for a favourite Welbeck moment, he added: "It's difficult to point out one thing. For me, what stands out is the development from him, the process he went through. I think in the last two seasons, he scored the most goals ever. "He played the most minutes ever in the Premier League and therefore it shows that, even when you get older, you still have a chance that you can improve, that you can achieve things."