Nottingham Forest have confirmed that they have reached a club‑record agreement to bring in young striker Liam Delap from Chelsea, a deal reported to be worth around £50 million when all possible add‑ons are taken into account. The initial figure is believed to be at least £45 million, with performance‑related clauses potentially pushing the total fee up to the £50 million mark. Delap is expected to travel to Forest's training base on Wednesday for a medical examination, which will be the final procedural step before the move becomes official. The 21‑year‑old forward has been the subject of interest from several Premier League sides over the past few weeks, with Everton among the clubs reportedly keen to secure his services.
Despite the competition, Forest have managed to out‑bid their rivals and lock in the deal, signalling their intention to strengthen the attacking line‑up ahead of the upcoming season. Chelsea originally acquired Delap in the summer of 2023 for a fee of roughly £30 million after he impressed at Ipswich Town. Over the last twelve months his market value has risen dramatically, with the London club now placing a price tag of around £50 million on the forward.
If the transfer goes through as reported, Chelsea stand to make a profit of about £20 million on a player who managed three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions during the previous campaign – a modest return but one that reflects his potential and the high expectations surrounding his development. The fee also eclipses Forest's previous record signing, which came in August 2025 when they paid £37.5 million to bring Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town. By breaking that record, the club demonstrates a clear ambition to compete more aggressively in the transfer market and to add quality to a squad that has struggled for consistency in recent seasons.
Former England international Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Special, offered his perspective on the move. He praised Delap's natural ability, noting that the striker has already shown flashes of quality at the youth level. "He needs regular first‑team football now and to stay fit," Sherwood said. He argued that Delap never received a sustained run in Chelsea's senior side, which hampered his confidence and development.
"A manager has to love a player and give him minutes week in, week out, even if he isn’t at his best," Sherwood explained, adding that Forest manager Oliver Glasner could provide that platform, much like he did for Jean‑Philippe Mateta at Crystal Palace. Sherwood also highlighted Glasner's tactical preferences, stating that the Austrian coach likes to play with a strong target man who can hold up the ball and bring others into play.
"If Delap can keep up with the tempo, I think he'll start scoring goals for Nottingham Forest," Sherwood asserted, emphasizing the striker's aggressive nature and the range of attributes that could see him develop into a top‑class forward. He dismissed the significance of the hefty price tag, noting that "price tags all over the Premier League now are just ridiculous," and suggesting that the focus should be on performance rather than cost.
Forest's acquisition of Delap comes as part of a broader overhaul of their attacking options. The club recently saw Taiwo Awoniyi depart for Coventry City in a £9 million deal, creating a vacancy that Delap is expected to fill. In addition to the forward, Forest have been linked with Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, though Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has publicly affirmed that Bergvall intends to stay in north London for the foreseeable future. The team is also exploring other areas of the squad.
Reports suggest that a right wing‑back from Fiorentina, known as Dodo, has attracted the attention of the Forest scouting department. Meanwhile, young centre‑backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon could be sent out on loan to gain valuable experience, with Watford reportedly among the clubs showing interest. On the opposite side of the transfer market, French side Lille are set to take Dilane Bakwa on loan, further illustrating the fluid nature of Forest's squad planning.
Overall, the Delap signing represents a significant investment by Nottingham Forest, reflecting both a desire to compete for higher league positions and a belief that the young striker can develop into a prolific goal scorer under Glasner's guidance. If the medical goes smoothly and the player integrates well into the squad, Forest could see a notable improvement in their offensive output, potentially transforming their fortunes in the upcoming Premier League campaign. Fans can stay updated on the latest transfer news by following the Transfer Centre LIVE on their mobile devices, checking the latest headlines in the Papers section, or downloading the Sky Sports app. For those who enjoy interactive content, Sky Sports also offers a WhatsApp service and a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a £1 million prize.