Nottingham Forest have officially confirmed the acquisition of young striker Liam Delap from Chelsea in what represents a new benchmark for the club's spending. The agreement reportedly involves a base fee of at least £45 million, with potential add‑on clauses that could push the total outlay to £50 million, thereby eclipsing Forest's previous record signing.
The deal is slated to be finalized once Delap completes his medical examination, scheduled for Wednesday. Delap arrives at the City Ground amid interest from several other Premier League outfits, most notably Everton, but Forest have managed to out‑maneuver the competition and secure the forward’s services.
Chelsea originally secured Delap’s signature last summer for a reported £30 million after he departed Ipswich Town, and the London club now value the 21‑year‑old at roughly £50 million. If the transfer proceeds as reported, Chelsea stand to make a tidy profit of around £20 million on a player who contributed three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions during the previous campaign. The move also shatters Forest’s prior transfer record, which was set when Omari Hutchinson was purchased from Ipswich Town for £37.5 million in August 2025. The new figure underscores Forest’s ambition to strengthen their attacking options following the departure of Taiwo Awoniyi, who left for Coventry City for a fee reported to be around £9 million.
Former England international Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, praised Delap’s potential and explained why the move could be pivotal for the striker’s development. "We know Liam's got the ability; he's shown that in the past.
He needs to play on a regular basis now. He needs to stay fit," Sherwood said. He added that Delap never received a sustained run of games at Chelsea, which hampered his confidence. "It never worked out at Chelsea.
I never think he ever got a run in the team to give that striker the confidence; you need the manager to love you and play you every week, even if you're not playing well. I think he'll get that with Glasner – you've seen that with Jean‑Philippe Mateta at Palace." Sherwood also highlighted Forest manager Oliver Glasner’s tactical preferences, noting that the Austrian coach favors a target man who can hold up play and bring teammates into the attack.
"He likes to play with a big striker; he likes support. If he can keep up with the play, I think he'll score goals for Nottingham Forest, and I believe he will keep up with play," Sherwood asserted.
The former player further emphasized Delap’s attributes, describing him as aggressive and possessing the tools to become a top‑level centre‑forward, but lamented that Chelsea’s environment did not allow him to flourish. "He’s aggressive; he's got a lot of attributes to be a top, top striker, but Chelsea just did not work for him, and that's what happens," Sherwood concluded, adding a note of skepticism about the inflated transfer fees across the league: "Forget about the price tag because the price tags all over the Premier League now are just ridiculous." Beyond the Delap signing, Forest are active in the market on several other fronts. The club have been linked with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, although Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has publicly stated that Bergvall intends to remain in north London. Additionally, Forest are reportedly monitoring Fiorentina right wing‑back Dodo as a possible addition to bolster their defensive flanks.
In the opposite direction, the club is preparing for a modest exodus of players on loan. French side Lille are set to take Dilane Bakwa on a temporary move, while centre‑backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon have attracted interest from Watford and could also depart on short‑term deals. These maneuvers suggest a strategic reshaping of the squad, with Forest aiming to balance the arrival of a high‑profile striker with the off‑loading of peripheral players to maintain financial prudence. The Delap transfer, if completed, will not only give Forest a proven Premier League talent but also signal the club’s willingness to invest heavily to climb the league table.
With Oliver Glasner’s reputation for developing young players and implementing an attacking style of play, the partnership could prove mutually beneficial. Delap, who spent his formative years at Ipswich before moving to Chelsea’s academy, has already shown glimpses of his potential in England’s youth teams and will be eager to prove himself at a club where he is likely to receive regular minutes.
Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest developments through the Sky Sports app, which offers live transfer centre updates, Premier League ins and outs, and exclusive content via WhatsApp. As the deadline day drama continues, Forest supporters will be hoping that the investment in Delap pays dividends on the pitch, providing the goals needed to secure a stronger league position and perhaps a deeper run in cup competitions. The club’s strategic signings, combined with a clear vision from Glasner, suggest a promising horizon for the City Ground as they look to re‑establish themselves among the Premier League’s competitive elite.