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Football365

·28 July 2026

Football365

·28 July 2026

Reports say Man Utd will not make a late bid to sign Danny Welbeck this summer, even though they had earlier held talks over the Chelsea target.

The Red Devils have already signed Andrey Santos (£48m, Chelsea), Karl Darlow (free, Leeds United), Youri Tielemans (£35m, Aston Villa) and Tynan Thompson (£8m, Tottenham) so far this summer.

Man Utd are still aiming to add a third midfielder, a left-winger and a full-back before the window closes, and there have also been rumours that a striker and/or a centre-back could be brought in as well.

Widespread reports have suggested that Man Utd have been in the market for an experienced striker to support Benjamin Sesko’s development next season.

Welbeck had already featured in earlier conversations over possible targets, and his name has come up again after it was revealed that Chelsea are trying to complete a deal for the Brighton striker.

However, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell says Man Utd are not currently thinking about hijacking Chelsea’s deal, which now looks close to completion.

Whitwell wrote in The Athletic: ‘United are also looking at the market for a striker to share the load with Benjamin Sesko. In 2024 and 2025, they held talks over re-signing Danny Welbeck from Brighton, getting quite far in the process last year, but they have so far shown no indication of moving again for the 35-year-old, who is now the subject of discussions with Chelsea.

‘Welbeck, who came through United’s academy and made his senior debut for the club in 2008, has scored 23 Premier League goals across the past two seasons and many fans have used social media to voice their desire to see him return. It might be that United feel they have sufficient options at centre-forward with Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Rashford, should the latter stay.’

On what Man Utd academy graduate Welbeck could offer Chelsea next season, Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop said: ‘Chelsea moving for a Brighton player is not out of the ordinary. However, Chelsea moving for a Brighton player in their mid-30s is.

‘Following that up with another from that demographic, despite them being currently injured, is a very deliberate ploy.

‘The BlueCo era has been defined by hoarding some of the best young talent on the planet and developing them in-house. That method has had some successes, but overall, it hasn’t panned out.

‘There is clearly some recognition and accountability from the top brass about that. In bringing in Xabi Alonso as manager, they know they have lucked out in getting one of the most highly sought-after tacticians in the game. The Spaniard has clearly identified the need for experience and the club are following his lead.

‘The interest in Xhaka earlier in the summer were among the first signs of the shift. Even making a move for Maxence Lacroix is evidence of a change in approach.

‘The Welbeck move is surprising, but there is some logic that can be applied to it. Is he going to start every week? No. 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 Brighton veteran has 400 appearances and 90 goals on his own. To have that as your back-up to the young guns you want to develop makes sense.’