Nottingham Forest agree club-record fee for Chelsea’s Liam Delap | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record fee with Chelsea for Liam Delap, with the deal to cost at least £45 million if all progresses as hoped. The England Under-21 striker is expected to sign a five-year contract at the City Ground and undergo a medical on Wednesday.

The Athletic reported on Monday that Forest were in advanced talks after tracking the former Ipswich forward for several weeks. Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich last summer for £30 million on a six-year contract.

If completed, it would be Forest’s second record signing in a month, following Ousmane Diomande’s move from Sporting CP. Delap has been training away from Chelsea’s main group and was omitted from the squad for the 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday.

An injury-hit debut season limited him to one Premier League goal across 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances. His No 9 shirt went to Joao Pedro this season, with the Brazilian largely Chelsea’s first-choice striker in 2025-26.

He impressed for Ipswich the previous year, scoring 12 times in 37 league games and making the shortlist for Premier League Young Player of the Season. His arrival would follow Taiwo Awoniyi’s exit to promoted Coventry City, ending his four-year spell at Forest.

Source: NY Times

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