dpNottingham Forest are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign striker Liam Delap.
As previously reported in The Athletic, the former Ipswich player has been high on Forest’s list of forward targets for several weeks. Negotiations over the move are progressing, and Forest are in pole position to sign the 23-year-old, who has been training away from the rest of the Chelsea first-team squad.
The London club favour a permanent move for Delap, who was not involved in their 3-2 victory over Fulham tonight. The west London club value the striker at around £50million ($68.19m).
Chelsea spent £30m ($40.8m) to sign the player from Ipswich a year ago, and he had a frustrating and injury-hit first season at Stamford Bridge. He finished the campaign with a single goal from 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Forest head coach Oliver Glasner hopes to see Forest sign a striker and a wing-back before deadline day, after deciding that quality over quantity should be the theme of Forest’s transfer business following his appointment in July.
“Everything is the same. We have targeted our areas and our players. I’m even more confident today than I was on Saturday that we will have these two players in before the end of the transfer window,” said Glasner in his press conference today, when asked if the club’s transfer plans had in any way changed following the weekend defeat to Leeds.
Delap has five years remaining on the contract he signed when he joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town in June 2025. The Athletic reported in June that Chelsea were prepared to sell one of their strikers and that Delap was a contender to leave, with Premier League interest in the striker.
Joao Pedro was predominantly Chelsea’s first-choice striker during the 2025-26 season, initially under Enzo Maresca before his departure at the beginning of January, and then both Liam Rosenior and interim head coach Calum McFarlane. Delap’s No 9 shirt was given to Joao Pedro before the start of the season.
Delap scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances for Ipswich during the 2024-25 season and was shortlisted for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
He has represented England throughout the youth age groups, including at under-21 level.
What could Delap bring to Forest?
Analysis by Nottingham Forest correspondent Paul Taylor
Liam Delap is exactly the brand of striker that Oliver Glasner has wanted to see added to the Nottingham Forest ranks.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was a key figure in his Crystal Palace side with his physical presence and work rate, and his ability to stretch opposition defences with his direct runs in behind.
And Delap, who has been on Forest’s radar for several weeks, ticks a lot of similar boxes, as well as a few more besides.
Delap is also a player who is powerful when running in behind and has the energy and determination to press opposition defenders. He is also a player who can create the gaps for the two creative No 10 type players that Glasner likes to utilise within his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation.
The former Ipswich man is also capable of carrying the ball at pace, and he more generally has a turn of speed that Forest’s head coach wants to see more of in his squad.
Glasner is a big fan of Dan Ndoye for similar reasons, although the Swiss international is not a player who is comfortable operating in the same No 9 role that Delap fills.
Forest still have great faith in veteran forward Chris Wood, while Igor Jesus scored five goals in pre-season to stake his own claim for an opportunity in the role.
But Delap, who Forest previously had an interest in when he was still at Ipswich, would be another major addition for Forest, who have already added defender Ousmane Diomande in a £35m move from Sporting CP and free agent Xaver Schlager to bolster their midfield options.
