Forest working on deal for Chelsea striker Delap
August 24, 2026 21:12
Nottingham Forest are in negotiations to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap. Chelsea have made the 23-year-old available for a £50m fee, and he has been training apart from the club’s first team while talks continue.
It is not clear whether Forest are discussing a permanent transfer or a loan. Delap was omitted from Chelsea’s squad for the recent Premier League match against Fulham and has recently lost the club’s number nine shirt to Joao Pedro.
KEY CONTEXT
Delap moved to Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30m just over a year ago but managed only one league goal last season, a campaign affected by shoulder and hamstring problems. The two clubs are reported to have a constructive relationship, which could aid negotiations.
Forest have already strengthened their squad this summer, signing defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34m and bringing in midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda on free transfers. At the same time, the club raised funds by selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116m and Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m.
WHY IT MATTERS
For Forest, acquiring Delap would bolster competition among their forwards, adding another option alongside Chris Wood and Igor Jesus. For Chelsea, moving Delap on would be part of a wider effort to clear space in a bloated senior squad — the club currently lists 39 senior players and aims to approve a number of sales and loans before the transfer window closes.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether the move is agreed as a permanent transfer or a loan.
- If Chelsea complete further departures before the transfer deadline on 1 September, which could influence the likelihood or timing of any deal.
- Whether Delap is reintegrated into Chelsea’s plans or departs before the window shuts.
KEY FACTS
- Liam Delap, 23, has been made available for a £50m move and is training separately from Chelsea’s first team.
- He was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the match against Fulham and recently lost the number nine shirt to Joao Pedro.
- Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30m just over a year ago and scored one Premier League goal last season amid shoulder and hamstring injuries.
- Nottingham Forest have signed Ousmane Diomande for £34m and free agents Xaver Schlager and Steve Benda this summer; they sold Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for £116m and Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m.
- Chelsea currently have 39 senior players and are seeking to approve multiple sales and loans before 1 September.