Forest working on deal to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap

Nottingham Forest are working on a deal to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap in the summer transfer window, the BBC reported on 24 August 2026. Talks are ongoing between the clubs, with it unclear whether any move would be a permanent transfer or a loan.

Chelsea have made the 23-year-old available for sale for £50m and he has been training separately from the first-team squad. The two clubs are described as having a positive working relationship. Delap was omitted from Chelsea's squad for Monday's Premier League match against Fulham and last week lost the number nine shirt to Joao Pedro.

Delap joined Chelsea just over 12 months ago from Ipswich Town for £30m. He finished the season with only one Premier League goal after suffering shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Nottingham Forest's recruitment this summer has included the £34m signing of defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting and the additions of free agents Xaver Schlager and Steve Benda. Those arrivals have been announced by the club so far in this window.

Forest have also completed outbound business, selling England midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116m. The club sold striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m.

A move for Delap would add competition to Forest's forward line, with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus currently at the City Ground. Club statements have linked any new striker signing to strengthening those attacking options.

Chelsea are seeking to sanction a number of sales and loan departures before the transfer deadline on 1 September and currently list 39 senior players on their books. Any resolution of Delap's situation is likely to be determined before that deadline.