Nottingham Forest Pursue Liam Delap from Chelsea
Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Chelsea over a move for Liam Delap as Oliver Glasner pushes hard for extra firepower before the transfer window closes, according to the Daily Mail.
Forest’s opening proposal is understood to be a loan with an option to buy next summer. The urgency is clear. Glasner’s side slipped to a tight 1-0 defeat against Leeds United at the weekend, a game that underlined exactly what they are missing: a ruthless edge in the box.
Delap stuck in reverse at Chelsea
For Delap, the interest arrives at a crossroads moment in his Chelsea career.
He joined from Ipswich Town carrying momentum and expectation after an impressive spell at Portman Road, but that promise has stalled badly in West London. One league goal in his debut Premier League season tells its own story, and his complete absence from the squad in the recent win over Fulham felt like a line in the sand.
Chelsea’s hierarchy now look ready to listen to offers. The message is blunt: he is available.
The clearest sign of his slide came before a ball was even kicked this season. Joao Pedro was handed the No.9 shirt after a standout first campaign, while Delap was shifted to No.12. A number change can be symbolic; here, it was brutal. Under Alonso, the pecking order is obvious, with Nicolas Jackson and new signing Marc Guiu both ahead of the former Manchester City academy product.
For a young striker trying to carve out minutes, the path at Stamford Bridge has almost vanished.
Forest lead the chase – but not alone
Forest may be at the front of the queue, but they are hardly alone.
Several Premier League clubs have tracked Delap across the summer. Ipswich, where he previously thrived, have weighed up bringing him back. Everton are also hovering, ready to move if the market breaks their way. The Toffees are thought to be considering a loan, especially if other sides push for a permanent deal.
So Forest have made the first move, but they will have to hold their nerve.
Glasner’s rebuild gathers pace
Delap is just one piece in a wider reset at the City Ground.
Forest have already laid down serious money, landing defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP in a £36m deal. They have also moved smartly in the free agent market, adding midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda to deepen the squad.
Those signings have been underpinned by the huge £116m sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, a transfer that has given Forest room to be bold. The pursuit of Delap fits that pattern: targeted, opportunistic, and focused on players who can either grow in value or deliver immediately.
Glasner’s recruitment drive is not limited to the centre-forward role. Forest are also monitoring Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy, another player on Everton’s radar. The profile is consistent – Premier League experience or high upside, ready to slot straight into the intensity of the campaign.
Chelsea ready to trim, Delap wants to stay in England
Despite having five years left on his contract, Delap is one of several forwards Chelsea are prepared to move on as Alonso trims a bloated squad.
The overhaul at Stamford Bridge has been sweeping. Squad numbers have been reshuffled, established names are on the market, and younger players are being pushed to find opportunities elsewhere. Delap sits squarely in that bracket.
Crucially, he is in no rush to jump at the first offer from abroad. The striker is understood to favour staying in the Premier League and is prepared to wait for the right domestic move. Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, previously explored the idea of taking him to Serie A, but England remains his priority.
Forest, then, have a clear opening. The question now is whether they can turn interest and early talks into the move that finally reignites Delap’s stalled Premier League story.
