Chelsea are working on a deal to sign Jordan Henderson on a free transfer from Brentford, according to Daily Mail Sport.
The move follows Chelsea missing out on Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, with the Stamford Bridge club turning to the 36-year-old Henderson to fill a role on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Daily Mail Sport had already reported that Chelsea are closing in on a separate deal 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 maintain a challenge to their rivals.
Henderson is still recovering from a fractured arm suffered during the World Cup. Several clubs are interested in signing him, including two other Premier League sides, but Chelsea are favourites to land him.
Welbeck interest
Daily Mail Sport revealed earlier on Monday that 35-year-old Brighton striker Welbeck has emerged as a target for Chelsea and is a contender to join Alonso's squad. Welbeck has scored 46 goals in 176 Premier League games for Brighton, having previously played for Manchester United and Arsenal.
Chelsea currently have five strikers on their books: Joao Pedro, who is considered untouchable, Emmanuel Emegha, Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu. The club have been looking at sales or loans to trim down their options up front.
Strikers' current status
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 through injury. Jackson is not involved because of 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. A move to Stamford Bridge would add him to a lengthy list of signings Chelsea have made from Brighton in recent years, including Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Joao Pedro.
