Nottingham Forest’s hopes of luring in-demand striker Liam Delap to the City Ground have been dealt a significant blow.
Strengthening head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s attacking options is a priority for the Reds this summer. They were said to be among a number of clubs eyeing up Delap and had registered their interest in the Ipswich Town ace.
The 22-year-old reportedly has a £30 million release clause in his contract at Portman Road. But it seems the race to secure his signature has now been won.
According to The Athletic, Forest are among the teams to have been informed Delap has made up his mind about his next move. Following the Tractor Boys’ relegation from the Premier League, the front man’s "preference" is said to be to join Chelsea.
The Reds, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, AC Milan and Juventus “are now aware” Delap is on course to put pen to paper elsewhere. A move to Stamford Bridge is on the cards “subject to agreement on personal terms” and the conditions of the player’s release clause being met.
Former Forest ace Stan Collymore had urged Delap to consider linking up with Nuno this summer. He said earlier this year: “If I was Liam Delap, I would not join Man United this summer. I think they are not a credible enough team at the moment in terms of competing next season – maybe they can do it in the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, but they certainly would not be able to do it in the Premier League.
“Instead, he should consider joining someone like Nottingham Forest, who are putting their mouth where their mouth is. All he needs to do is look at guys like Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood, who have turned their fortunes around over the last 12 months, and they are now thriving – especially this season.”
The Reds might have missed out on Delap, but that will not change their focus on adding more firepower ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Recruiting another forward has been on the agenda for the past two windows without success, and the club will not want to make it three in a row.
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Losing 1-0 at home to Chelsea on the final day of the season left Nuno’s side to finish seventh in the Premier League table. Victory for the Blues meant they qualified for next year’s Champions League, with Forest having to settle for a spot in the Conference League.
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