Nottingham Forest are closing in on a club-record signing after agreeing a deal worth at least £45m, rising to £50m with add-ons, to bring striker Liam Delap from Chelsea, according to reports from The Athletic, Sky Sports, BBC Sport and The Guardian. The 23-year-old is scheduled to undergo a medical on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, and is expected to sign a five-year contract at the City Ground.
Delap was absent from Chelsea’s squad for their 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham on Monday and had been training away from the first team, a clear sign his departure was imminent. Chelsea will pocket roughly £20m in profit on the £30m they paid Ipswich Town for him just last summer.
The deal itself
The agreed fee surpasses Forest’s previous club-record transfer, which Sky Sports reported as the £37.5m paid to Ipswich Town for Omari Hutchinson in August 2025. David Ornstein and Daniel Taylor at The Athletic confirmed the Delap deal, with additional reporting from Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam, Anton Toloui and James Savundra, as well as BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel and Nizaar Kinsella.
Forest moved ahead of Everton, who had also registered interest in Delap, to secure his signature. Their pursuit accelerated after selling striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m, which freed up funds and left a clear vacancy up front.
Why it never clicked at Chelsea
Delap’s single season at Stamford Bridge produced one Premier League goal across 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances, a return undermined by both shoulder and hamstring injuries. Chelsea added Emmanuel Emegha and Danny Welbeck as striker options this summer and handed the No. 9 shirt to Joao Pedro, leaving Delap with no clear path to regular minutes.
Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, captured the situation plainly: ‘We know Liam’s got the ability; he’s shown that in the past. He needs to play on a regular basis now. He needs to stay fit. It never worked out at Chelsea. I never think he ever got a run in the team.’ Forest manager Oliver Glasner is understood to be a key driver behind the signing, convinced Delap can thrive with consistent starts.
Player profile: the path to the City Ground
Delap developed through Derby County’s academy before joining Manchester City in 2019, where he won the FA Youth Cup in 2019-20 and scored 24 goals in 20 Premier League 2 appearances the following season. His senior City debut came in September 2020, scoring in a 2-1 League Cup win over Bournemouth, though the first-team route there was blocked. Loan spells at Stoke, Preston North End and Hull City followed between 2022 and 2024, providing his Championship education.
He broke through at Ipswich after City sold him for £20m in the summer of 2024. Twelve goals in 37 Premier League games for the Tractor Boys persuaded Chelsea to pay up that same summer. Across 67 career Premier League appearances in total, he has 13 goals, per BBC Sport.
What it means for Forest
Committing a club-record fee to a 23-year-old striker reflects real ambition from a Forest side that has established itself in the top half of the Premier League over the past two seasons. Glasner pushed for Delap despite competition from Everton and the significant outlay, showing confidence that a powerful, direct center forward fits the style he wants to build.
Delap will be looking for the sustained run of games that has eluded him since his Ipswich days. Staying fit is the obvious prerequisite, and Forest will be counting on the investment to show up in goals and points.
FAQ
How much are Nottingham Forest paying for Liam Delap?
Forest have agreed a fee of at least £45m with Chelsea, which can rise to £50m through add-ons, making Delap the club’s most expensive signing ever.
How old is Liam Delap and what position does he play?
Delap is 23 years old and plays as a striker. He is expected to sign a five-year contract at the City Ground.
How many goals has Liam Delap scored in the Premier League?
Delap has scored 13 goals in 67 Premier League appearances in total, per BBC Sport. He managed one goal for Chelsea in 2025-26 across 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances.
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Liam Delap