Jordan Henderson has received permission from Brentford to terminate his contract a year earlier than expected, leaving him free to potentially join Chelsea.
Talks between Henderson and the Blues are advancing with the 36-year-old former Liverpool midfielder in line to add experience into Xabi Alonso’s changing room.
Chelsea have radically adjusted their summer strategy by now aiming to add older players to their squad rather than purely focusing on youthful potential.
Danny Welbeck is also set to join after agreeing a two-year deal.
The Brighton & Hove Albion striker, 35, is set to undergo a medical with it planned for him to fly to join their pre-season in Hong Kong if all goes to plan.
Neither Chelsea nor Brighton have been willing to reveal the fee.
Chelsea are moving closer to signing Jordan Henderson as Brentford have given him permission to terminate his contract
Alonso and his squad are currently in Sydney, Australia for the start of their pre-season tour.
Alonso is a firm believer in a balanced squad, and Welbeck and Henderson would add significant maturity to his squad. Chelsea originally targeted the signing of Granit Xhaka, 33, but Sunderland refused to sell their captain. John Stones, 32, is also now in talks with Inter Milan.
Maxence Lacroix, 26 and from Crystal Palace, is close to being confirmed as Chelsea’s newest signing for £52million. Morgan Rogers has already arrived for £117m from Aston Villa.
