Nottingham Forest in Talks with Chelsea for Liam Delap
Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Chelsea over a move for Liam Delap, pushing to add a sharper edge to their attack before the transfer window shuts, according to the Daily Mail.
Forest’s proposal is understood to be a loan with an option to buy next summer. Oliver Glasner wants another finisher in the building. His side’s 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at the weekend underlined the problem: plenty of effort, not enough ruthlessness in front of goal.
Delap stuck at a crossroads at Chelsea
For Delap, the interest comes at a decisive moment in his Chelsea career. He arrived from Ipswich Town with momentum behind him after an impressive spell at Portman Road, but the step up to Stamford Bridge has bitten hard.
Expectations grew. His output did not. One league goal in his debut season left him exposed, and his omission from the matchday squad for Chelsea’s recent Premier League win over Fulham felt like a clear message from the hierarchy that they are ready to listen to offers.
The slide became even more visible when Joao Pedro took the No.9 shirt ahead of the new campaign. Symbolic, yes, but also brutally honest. Pedro, rewarded for a standout first year, moved into the central role in Alonso’s plans, while Delap was pushed back to No.12.
With Nicolas Jackson and summer signing Marc Guiu also ahead of him, the route to regular minutes under the Spanish manager looks almost blocked for the former Manchester City academy forward.
Forest lead the chase – but not alone
Forest may be at the front of the queue, but they are not queuing alone. Several Premier League clubs have tracked Delap through the summer.
Ipswich Town, where he rebuilt his reputation, have explored bringing him back. Everton are hovering too, prepared to move for a loan if permanent bids from elsewhere fail to land. No one is walking away from this quietly; a young English striker with top-flight experience still carries weight in the market.
At the City Ground, Delap is just one piece in a wider rebuild. Glasner has already overseen a significant reshaping of the squad. Forest paid around £36m to sign defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, a statement deal at the back. They have also dipped smartly into the free-agent pool, adding midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda for depth and competition.
Those moves have been made possible by the huge £116m sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, a windfall that gives Forest room to be aggressive in the final weeks of the window.
Wider recruitment drive at the City Ground
Delap is not the only attacking option on Forest’s radar. The club are also monitoring Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy, another player with Premier League know-how who could slot straight into Glasner’s high-intensity approach.
Again, Everton are in the mix, setting up a familiar battle in the market. Forest’s strategy is clear: target players with either proven top-flight pedigree or high upside who can adapt quickly and raise the level of the starting XI, not just the bench.
Chelsea ready to trim, Delap wants to stay in England
Despite having five years left on his Chelsea contract, Delap has been placed in the group of forwards the club are prepared to move on as they streamline a bloated squad under Alonso.
Shirt numbers have changed, big names have been nudged towards the exit, and the message from Stamford Bridge is blunt: only those who fit the new project will stay.
Delap is not rushing into anything. He is understood to be willing to wait for the right domestic move, preferring to remain in the Premier League rather than look abroad. Italian side Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, showed interest in taking him to Serie A earlier in the window, but his focus is on proving himself in England.
Forest can offer minutes, a clear role and a manager who wants him. Chelsea can offer only the promise of more time on the fringes.
The next decision Delap makes will define the next phase of his career.
