By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

8th Oct, 2023 | 8:00am

Danny Welbeck: Ex-Arsenal star ready to agree Brighton deal - sources

Danny Welbeck is happy at Brighton as they plot contract talks with the striker before the new year, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed that the 32-year-old is content with his role as a key man for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (6 October) that Brighton are keen to open talks with Welbeck if he stays fit and firing between now and the end of the festive schedule.

His current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that a renewal should be a “straightforward deal to do” when all parties sit down for discussions.

Welbeck has seen his minutes shared with youngsters Evan Ferguson and Joao Pedro so far this season but nonetheless remains central to De Zerbi’s plans going forward.

He has made nine appearances across all competitions this season, scoring once.

De Zerbi regularly calls on Welbeck in the bigger games, including Thursday’s (5 October) 2-2 draw away at Marseille.

The ex-Arsenal forward originally joined Brighton on a one-year contract in 2021 and has now made 97 appearances for the Seagulls, notching 20 goals and 10 assists.

He signed his last extension in August 2022 and earns a reported wage of £55,000-a-week at the Amex Stadium.

Welbeck has racked up 310 total games in the Premier League across spells at the Seagulls, Man United, Sunderland, Arsenal and Watford – scoring 63 top-flight goals.

His best one-season league return came in the 2011-12 season when he managed nine goals and five assists for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils.

Brighton are next in action against Liverpool on Sunday (8 October).

They have picked up 15 of a possible 21 Premier League points so far this term.

In other news, Chelsea now set sights on another Brighton star.