Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record deal worth around £50 million to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap.
The 23-year-old is expected to complete his medical and sign a long-term contract at the City Ground this week, in a move that would make him Forest’s latest major addition this summer.
Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30 million last summer after attracting interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Everton.
However, his first season at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries, and he scored just one Premier League goal. Chelsea have now decided to make the England youth international available for transfer.
Forest see Delap as a solution to their problems in attack after beginning the new Premier League campaign with a 1-0 home defeat by Leeds.
Existing forwards Chris Wood and Igor Jesus failed to score in that match, and Delap’s arrival would provide additional competition and a different attacking option for the club.
The proposed transfer is part of an ambitious summer for Forest, who have already signed defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34 million, while Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda have arrived as free agents.
The club have also raised significant funds by selling midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116 million and striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9 million.
Delap began his career in Derby County’s academy before joining Manchester City in 2019.
He made his senior debut in a League Cup victory over Bournemouth in 2020 and later spent loan spells with Stoke City, Preston North End and Hull City.
After moving permanently to Ipswich for £20 million in 2024, he scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances as the newly promoted side fought for survival.
His move to Forest would give Delap an opportunity to revive his career following a difficult spell at Chelsea.
Chelsea have strengthened their own striking options this summer with the arrivals of Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Danny Welbeck from Brighton, making Delap’s departure part of a wider reshaping of their attack.
