Nottingham Forest have confirmed that they have reached a club‑record agreement to bring Liam Delap to the City Ground, with the fee reported to be around £50 million. The deal, which could rise to the full £50 million figure depending on performance‑related add‑ons, is understood to be at least £45 million in guaranteed payments.
Delap is expected to travel to Forest for his medical examination on Wednesday, after which the paperwork should be completed and the transfer officially announced. The young striker has been linked with a number of Premier League suitors over the past few weeks, including Everton, but Forest have managed to out‑maneuver the competition and secure his signature. Chelsea originally acquired Delap last summer for a reported £30 million from Ipswich Town, and they now value him at roughly £50 million.
If the transfer goes ahead at the reported price, the Blues stand to make a profit of about £20 million on a player who featured 47 times for them last season, netting three goals in those appearances. The fee eclipses Forest’s previous record signing, which was Omari Hutchinson’s £37.5 million move from Ipswich Town in August 2025. By breaking that benchmark, the club is signalling an ambition to strengthen its attacking options after the departure of Taiwo Awoniyi, who left for Coventry City for a fee of £9 million earlier in the summer.
Former England international Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special, praised Delap’s potential and explained why a move to Forest could be the catalyst the striker needs. "We know Liam has the ability; he’s shown that in the past.
He now needs regular first‑team football and a manager who trusts him enough to give him a run of games," Sherwood said. He added that Delap never really got the chance to settle at Chelsea, noting that a striker thrives when the manager shows confidence in him, even during periods of poor form.
"Oliver Glasner likes to play with a big striker and give him support. If Liam can keep up with the tempo, I expect him to score goals for Nottingham Forest," Sherwood continued, drawing a parallel with the way Jean‑Philippe Mateta flourished under former Palace boss Roy Hodgson. Sherwood also highlighted Delap’s physical attributes, describing him as aggressive and possessing a range of qualities that could make him a top‑class forward if given the right environment.
He dismissed the inflated transfer fees that have become commonplace across the Premier League, saying, "Forget about the price tag because the price tags all over the Premier League now are just ridiculous." Forest’s recruitment drive does not stop with Delap. The club have also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, although Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has insisted that Bergvall intends to stay in north London for the foreseeable future. Additionally, Forest are reportedly monitoring Fiorentina right wing‑back Dodo as a possible addition to provide more width and defensive stability.
The summer window has also seen movement among Forest’s peripheral players. French side Lille are set to take Dilane Bakwa on loan, while young centre‑backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon have attracted interest from Watford and could also be sent out on temporary deals to gain valuable first‑team experience. Overall, the acquisition of Liam Delap represents a bold statement from Nottingham Forest.
By investing a club‑record sum, the club’s hierarchy and manager Oliver Glasner are indicating that they are prepared to back a young, high‑potential striker who can develop into a regular goal‑scorer. If Delap adapts quickly to Forest’s style of play and receives the consistent minutes he craves, he could become a pivotal figure in the club’s quest to improve its standing in the Premier League and challenge for higher positions next season.