Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record fee for Chelsea striker Liam Delap.The Athletic reported on Monday that Forest were in advanced talks over a deal to sign the former Ipswich forward, who has been on the club’s list of targets for several weeks.An agreement has now been struck which, if all progresses as hoped, will see Forest pay at least £45million (€52m) for the 23-year-old, who only moved to Stamford Bridge a year ago. Chelsea sources with knowledge of the deal have indicated the package rises to £50m including add-ons.The England Under-21 international is expected to sign a five-year contract at the City Ground and will undergo a medical on Wednesday.
If completed it would be the second time in a month that Forest have broken their transfer record, following Ousmane Diomande’s move from Sporting CP.Delap had been training away from the rest of Chelsea’s first-team, and he was not in the matchday squad for the 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday.He signed a six-year contract with Chelsea upon joining the club in a £30m deal from Ipswich last summer. He endured a frustrating, injury-hit debut season — scoring once in 12 starts and 16 substitute appearances in the Premier League.The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Chelsea are also open to selling strikers Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, with Danny Welbeck having joined from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer.Delap’s No 9 shirt was given to Joao Pedro this season, with the Brazilian having largely been Chelsea’s first-choice striker in the 2025-26 campaign. Delap impressed for Ipswich in the previous season, scoring 12 goals in 37 league appearances and was shortlisted for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.Delap’s arrival follows the departure of striker Taiwo Awoniyi to promoted side Coventry City, ending his four-year spell at Forest.What would Delap bring to Forest?
