Nottingham Forest have signed striker Liam Delap in a club-record deal from Chelsea.
The transfer is understood to be worth at least £45m, potentially reaching £50m with add-ons, meaning Chelsea could make up to £20m profit on the 23-year-old, having only signed him from Ipswich Town last summer for £30m.
The forward has signed a five-year deal at the City Ground. “I really can’t wait to get started. This is a massive club with a big history,” he said in a statement.
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“I spoke to the manager and I like his way. I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step and hopefully I can bring goals here.”
Delap made 47 appearances for Chelsea, scoring just three times, after impressing for Ipswich, where he netted 12 Premier League goals in 37 games as they were relegated from the top flight in 2024/25.
Delap had interest from several other Premier League clubs, including Everton.
Forest’s previous record transfer saw Omari Hutchison join for £37.5m from Ipswich Town in August 2025.
How have Chelsea made a profit on Delap?
Sky Sports News’ James Savundra:
From a business perspective, this represents a superb sale for Chelsea as they bank a huge profit on a player who scored just three times in an underwhelming campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Many outsiders baulked at the £50m price tag which Chelsea slapped on Delap’s head this summer but the Blues are set to receive the full asking price if the add-ons attached to the deal are achieved.
Chelsea capitalised on a market opportunity last summer. Delap’s £30m release clause following Ipswich’s relegation had many leading Premier League clubs interested. The forward scored 12 goals in the Tractor Boys’ 2024/25 season in the top flight.
And a forgettable campaign in west London has not put off Nottingham Forest. A dearth of proven, natural No 9s means they come at a premium.
Forest’s need is pretty clear too. Oliver Glasner doesn’t like to be pigeonholed tactically, but his main success as a manager has come when he’s had a focal point up front, whether that be Jean-Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani or Wout Weghorst.
Chris Wood has enjoyed a resurgence in his 30s but struggled with injuries last season. Igor Jesus has impressed at the City Ground but isn’t necessarily suited to a target-man role. With Taiwo Awoniyi sold on, Arnaud Kalimuendo represents the only other option. Short in stature, the French forward would not appear a natural fit the job that Glasner will assign.
It’s an expensive deal and comes with risk. The last 12 months has been an ordeal for Delap and his confidence has taken a huge knock. But the remarkable role Glasner played in galvanising Mateta and turning him into a leading Premier League striker and French international should give everybody belief that the 23-year-old can get his career back on track.
What other business could Forest do?
Forest have brought in Delap to improve their striking options following Taiwo Awoniyi’s £9m move to Coventry City.
Glasner’s side have been pursuing Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as an Elliot Anderson replacement, but Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi insists he is staying in north London.
Forest could also add a right wing-back, with Fiorentina’s Dodo a player of interest.
Winger Dilane Bakwa is set to join Lille on loan while defender Eric da Silva Moreira has joined Eredivisie club Excelsior on a temporary deal. Centre-backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon could also depart on loan amid interest from Watford.
In
Liam Delap – Chelsea, £50m
Ousmane Diomande – Nottingham Forest, £34.3m
Boyd Fraser – Hearts, undisclosed
Mason Ayre – Glentoran, undisclosed
Blaine McClure – Rangers, undisclosed
Xaver Schlager – RB Leipzig, free
Grady McDonnell – Club Brugge, free
Kasen Brown – Man City, free
Steven Benda – Fulham, free
Out
Elliot Anderson – Man City, £116m
Taiwo Awoniyi – Coventry, £9m
David Carmo – Olympiacos, undisclosed
Joe Gardner – Falkirk, undisclosed
Omar Richards – Aris, undisclosed
Cormac Daly – Hearts, free
Angus Gunn – San Jose Earthquakes, free
Ben Hammong – Boston United, free
Justin Hanks – Solihull Moors, free
Danny Anisjko – Chesterfield, free
Jota Silva – Olympiacos, loan
Willy Boly – released
Stefan Ortega – released
Shae Cahill – released
Esapa Osong – released
Eric da Silva Moreira – Excelsior, loan
