Nottingham Forest agree 45m deal to sign Chelsea striker
August 26, 2026 02:18
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign striker Liam Delap for £45 million, according to Fabrizio Romano. The move follows a season in west London in which Delap scored two goals in all competitions.
The transfer reportedly came after Forest manager Oliver Glasner held talks with Delap and reassured him he would receive regular playing time. Chelsea will make a £15m profit on the player compared with the £30m they paid Ipswich Town.
KEY CONTEXT
- Delap’s future at Chelsea had been widely discussed in recent weeks, prompting the club to field offers.
- Chelsea acquired the forward from Ipswich Town for £30m; the £45m sale to Forest would represent a £15m gain.
- The summer window remains open until September 1, 2026, and Chelsea could still move other forwards before that deadline.
- Reports have linked Nicolas Jackson with a potential transfer to Aston Villa for a fee reported to be in the region of £60m; that move has not been confirmed.
WHY IT MATTERS
- For Nottingham Forest, signing Delap provides a new attacking option who has been promised frequent minutes by his new manager, a key factor for a club seeking immediate impact from incoming players.
- For Chelsea, the sale reduces their squad size and delivers a financial return on a recent purchase, while leaving room for further forward departures or recruitment before the window closes.
- The possible movement of other Chelsea strikers, if completed, could significantly alter the club’s attacking depth this summer.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Delap secures the regular playing time Glassner reportedly promised and how quickly he integrates into Forest’s squad.
- If Chelsea will sanction additional forward sales before the September 1 deadline, including the reported interest from Aston Villa in Nicolas Jackson and the suggested £60m package.
- Any official confirmations from the clubs involved about the Delap transfer or follow-up deals.
KEY FACTS
- Agreement reported between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea for Liam Delap for £45m (source: Fabrizio Romano, as reported).
- Delap scored two goals in all competitions for Chelsea last season.
- Chelsea bought Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m; the reported sale would net a £15m profit.
- Manager Oliver Glasner is reported to have persuaded Delap by assuring regular playing time.
- Nicolas Jackson has been linked with Aston Villa for a reported fee around £60m (unconfirmed).