Chelsea pursue Welbeck
Sky Sports said Chelsea held “positive talks” over a deal for Welbeck, while also linking the Blues to Henderson as the England international recovered from an arm injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup.
The Guardian said Chelsea are exploring moves for Welbeck and Henderson, adding that the 35-year-old scored 13 goals in 37 Premier League matches last season and that the 36-year-old has a year left on his contract.
The New York Times reported that Chelsea are “working to sign midfielder Jordan Henderson from Brentford,” and said Brentford are ready to grant Henderson a free transfer with the situation described as amicable.
In the same New York Times report, Henderson’s injury was tied to slipping while climbing over an advertising board during England’s win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the last-16, after which he had to have surgery.
Henderson, Welbeck reactions
talkSPORT reported that Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Jordan Henderson from Brentford on a free transfer, and it quoted Drive co-host Rory Jennings saying, “I don’t think Jordan Henderson is the right answer.”
In the same talkSPORT segment, Jennings added, “I think what we need to do is bring in some standards for sure,” while reacting to the idea of Henderson joining Chelsea.
The Guardian framed the Henderson talks by saying the Bees would be willing to let him leave on a free transfer, and it linked the move to uncertainty around the futures of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.
NBC Sports described Chelsea’s pursuit as a question of fit under Xabi Alonso, noting that Henderson would be an option to add experience and leadership to a squad that includes Joao Pedro as the “undisputed No. 9.”
The Mirror also described Chelsea’s interest in Henderson as another shock signing, saying Henderson is a target for multiple Premier League clubs and that he has an agreement to leave Brentford on a free transfer despite one year left on his contract.
What it could change
The Guardian added that if a deal is reached it would increase the likelihood of departures from Stamford Bridge, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson.
The New York Times reported that Chelsea have allowed one midfielder to depart this summer, with Andrey Santos joining Manchester United in a deal worth up to £50million ($66.5m), and it said Henderson made 22 league starts for Brentford last season.
The London Evening Standard’s transfer live update said Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are all striving for major signings, and it noted that Chelsea are preparing a new bid for Alex Scott after clinching a deal for Maxence Lacroix.
Against that backdrop, the New York Times said Chelsea are currently in Australia on a pre-season tour facing Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur before playing Juventus in Hong Kong, with the Henderson and Welbeck talks described as part of the club’s summer recruitment push.