Nottingham Forest have secured the services of striker Liam Delap in what is being described as a club‑record acquisition for the West Midlands side. The deal, which was negotiated with Chelsea, is reported to be worth a minimum of £45 million and could rise to as much as £50 million if all performance‑related add‑ons are triggered.
This arrangement means that Chelsea stand to make a profit of roughly £20 million on the 23‑year‑old forward, who was originally bought from Ipswich Town for a fee of £30 million just a year ago. Delap has agreed to a five‑year contract at the City Ground, signalling a long‑term commitment from both player and club. In his introductory statement he expressed genuine excitement about the move, saying, "I really can't wait to get started. This is a massive club with a big history." He also praised Forest manager Oliver Glasner, adding, "I spoke to the manager and I like his way.
I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step and hopefully I can bring goals here." During his time at Chelsea, Delap made 47 appearances across all competitions but managed to find the net only three times. Prior to joining the Blues, he had impressed while on loan at Ipswich Town, where he scored 12 Premier League goals in 37 matches during the 2024/25 season, even though the club ultimately suffered relegation.
His performances attracted interest from several Premier League outfits, including Everton, before Forest emerged as the eventual destination. The transfer also marks a new high for Forest, surpassing their previous record signing of Omari Hutchinson, who arrived from Ipswich for £37.5 million in August 2025.
The club’s willingness to invest heavily in a proven centre‑forward reflects a strategic push to bolster their attacking options after the departure of Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9 million. From a financial standpoint, Chelsea have engineered a very lucrative sale. Analysts note that the club will reap a sizeable profit despite Delap’s modest goal return at Stamford Bridge.
The initial skepticism surrounding the £50 million price tag has been largely allayed by the inclusion of add‑on clauses that are likely to be met, ensuring the full amount is realised. The background to the deal is rooted in the market dynamics of last summer. Delap’s release clause of £30 million was activated following Ipswich’s relegation, prompting a flurry of interest from top‑flight teams.
His 12‑goal haul in the Premier League that season demonstrated his potential, even though his subsequent spell at Chelsea did not live up to expectations. Forest, on the other hand, have been in search of a natural number nine—a target‑man who can hold up play, win aerial duels and provide a focal point for their attacks. Oliver Glasner, who has a reputation for adapting his tactics to suit the strengths of his squad, has historically achieved his best results when he has a reliable striker at the tip of the spear.
Past examples include the productive partnerships he forged with Jean‑Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani and Wout Weghorst. While Chris Wood has shown a resurgence in form, his injury record and the departure of Awoniyi have left a clear vacancy.
Igor Jesus, though promising, is not a traditional target‑man, and the club’s other forward options, such as the diminutive French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, do not fit the classic centre‑forward mould. Delap’s acquisition is therefore both a statement of intent and a calculated risk. The young striker endured a challenging twelve months at Chelsea, which dented his confidence and limited his goal output. However, Glasner’s track record of revitalising strikers—most notably his work with Mateta, who transformed into a Premier League regular and French international under Glasner’s guidance—offers hope that Delap can rediscover his form and fulfill his potential.
In addition to the Delap signing, Forest are active in the transfer market on several fronts. They have been linked with Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a possible replacement for Elliot Anderson, although Tottenham’s manager Roberto De Zerbi has indicated that Bergvall intends to remain at the club. The Forest scouting network is also monitoring Fiorentina’s right wing‑back Dodo, who could add depth to the defensive flanks. The club’s recent loan activity includes winger Dilane Bakwa heading to Lille on a temporary deal, defender Eric da Silva Moreira joining Dutch side Excelsior on loan, and potential loan moves for centre‑backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon, who have attracted interest from Watford.
These moves suggest a broader strategy of reshaping the squad while managing wage bills and providing younger players with valuable playing time. Below is a snapshot of some of the notable transfers and movements involving Forest and other clubs during this window: - Liam Delap – Chelsea to Nottingham Forest, £45‑50 million - Ousmane Diomande – Nottingham Forest, £34.3 million - Boyd Fraser – Hearts, undisclosed fee - Mason Ayre – Glentoran, undisclosed fee - Blaine McClure – Rangers, undisclosed fee - Xaver Schlager – RB Leipzig, free transfer - Grady McDonnell – Club Brugge, free transfer - Kasen Brown – Manchester City, free transfer - Steven Benda – Fulham, free transfer - Elliot Anderson – Manchester City, £116 million - Taiwo Awoniyi – Coventry City, £9 million - David Carmo – Olympiacos, undisclosed fee - Joe Gardner – Falkirk, undisclosed fee - Omar Richards – Aris, undisclosed fee - Cormac Daly – Hearts, free transfer - Angus Gunn – San Jose Earthquakes, free transfer - Ben Hammong – Boston United, free transfer - Justin Hanks – Solihull Moors, free transfer - Danny Anisjko – Chesterfield, free transfer - Jota Silva – Olympiacos, loan - Willy Boly – released - Stefan Ortega – released - Shae Cahill – released - Esapa Osong – released - Eric da Silva Moreira – Excelsior, loan Overall, the Delap signing represents a bold move by Nottingham Forest to secure a high‑potential striker capable of leading their line for years to come. If the player can translate his earlier promise into consistent Premier League performances, the investment could pay dividends both on the pitch and in the club’s broader ambitions to climb the league table. The coming months will reveal whether the partnership between Delap and Glasner can reignite the striker’s career trajectory and deliver the goals that Forest desperately need.