Chelsea
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal worth up to £50m to sign 23-year-old Chelsea striker Liam Delap. He is set to leave Stamford Bridge after just one season, as per latest transfer news. This is a club record deal for Forest.
Forest agree club-record Liam Delap deal
Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement with Chelsea for Delap, with the transfer understood to be worth at least £45m and potentially rising to £50m with add-ons. As reported by BBC Sport, Delap is expected to undergo a medical before signing a long-term deal at the City Ground. It would be Forest’s most expensive signing, eclipsing the £37.5m they paid Ipswich Town for Omari Hutchinson in 2025.
Chelsea beat off competition from a number of clubs to land Delap from Ipswich last summer for £30m. But the striker struggled to find his feet at Stamford Bridge and was made available on a permanent transfer this summer. Last season, Delap only managed three goals in 47 appearances for Chelsea, with injuries also limiting his chances.
The striker had performed better at Ipswich before, scoring 12 Premier League goals in 37 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign. Forest have moved quickly to secure his signature after seeing several other clubs show interest. Everton were among the teams linked with the England Under-21 international, but Forest have now won the race.
ChelseaChelsea
Liam Delap’s Chelsea stats for the 2025/26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Appearances Goals Assists Chances Created
Premier League 28 1 0 3
FA Cup 6 0 3 5
EFL Cup 2 0 0 –
Champions League 5 1 0 4
Club World Cup 6 1 1 2
Delap gets chance to revive career
The move gives Delap an opportunity to rebuild his career after a difficult season at Chelsea. Forest are looking for more attacking options after losing Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City. Chris Wood and Igor Jesus remain available to manager Oliver Glasner, but neither found the net during Forest’s 1-0 defeat by Leeds in their opening league game.
Delap should provide another option up front and could compete with Wood and Jesus for a starting role. As reported by Sky Sports, Tim Sherwood believes Forest could be the right club for Delap to rediscover his best form. Sherwood highlighted the striker’s physical qualities and suggested that regular football could help him regain confidence.
Delap has already gained plenty of experience despite being only 23. He came through Derby County’s academy before joining Manchester City in 2019 and scored 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 matches during the 2020-21 season. He also made his senior City debut in the League Cup before spending loan spells at Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.
Chelsea prepare for another striker change
Delap’s departure continues a major change to Chelsea’s attacking options after already signing Emmanuel Emegha and Danny Welbeck**.** With Delap now gone, new boss Xabi Alonso will need to work out how best to balance his remaining options in attack.
Chelsea might also make a nice profit on Delap despite his lack of impact, as they paid £30m for him last summer and could sell him for £50m. For Forest, the deal represents a major investment in their attack. Glasner will hope Delap can stay fit and rediscover the form that made him one of the most promising young strikers in English football.
The striker now has a fresh opportunity to establish himself at the City Ground. After struggling for regular minutes at Chelsea, consistent game time could be key to helping Delap reach his potential.