Nottingham Forest have agreed a club-record deal to sign striker Liam Delap from Chelsea for a fee of at least £45 million. The 23-year-old is scheduled for a medical on Wednesday 26 August 2026, with the potential total package rising to £50 million based on add-ons, as first reported by Sky Sports Football.
Forest currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with zero points from one game, having lost their opening fixture. They have scored no goals and conceded one, leaving them with a minus-one goal difference and three points behind early leaders Brighton. Their next challenge is a trip to face 10th-placed Liverpool on 29 August, a match you can preview on our fixtures page.
Why did Forest break their transfer record for Delap?
Liam Delap was identified as Forest's first-choice attacking target by manager Oliver Glasner. The move follows the £9 million sale of Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City, which created a vacancy for a physical forward in Glasner's preferred system. The Austrian coach likes to utilise a big striker who thrives with support, a profile Delap is seen to fit. Forest's previous record signing was Omari Hutchison, who joined from Ipswich Town for £37.5 million in August 2025. This new deal represents a significant financial commitment as the club seeks to improve its offensive output.
What does Delap bring from his time at Chelsea?
Chelsea signed Delap from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2025 for a fee of £30 million. His single season at Stamford Bridge yielded three goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. According to ESPN, that included one Premier League goal from 28 outings and a strike in the Champions League. The striker failed to establish himself as a regular starter, a situation highlighted when he was left out of the squad for Chelsea's win over Fulham on Monday 24 August. Former manager Tim Sherwood commented on the situation. "We know Liam's got the ability; he's shown that in the past," Sherwood said. "He needs to play on a regular basis now."
How does this transfer affect Chelsea and Forest's other business?
For Chelsea, the sale could generate a profit of around £20 million on a player they valued at approximately £50 million this summer. For Forest, the major expenditure on Delap is the centrepiece of a busy end to the window. The club has also been pursuing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson, although Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has insisted Bergvall is staying. Forest retain interest in Fiorentina right-back Dodo to bolster their wing-back options. Meanwhile, forward Dilane Bakwa is set for a loan move to Lille, and young centre-backs Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon could depart on temporary deals amid interest from Watford. You can track all squad movements on our dedicated squad page.
What is the context of Forest's season so far?
The record signing arrives with Forest seeking their first points and first goal of the new campaign. Their league standing and goal difference underline the immediate need for more firepower. Sherwood also offered perspective on the financial scale of the deal. "Forget about the price tag because the price tags all over the Premier League now are just ridiculous," he said. Glasner was confident the club would add players before the deadline, and the Delap deal fulfills that key objective. The focus now shifts to integrating the new striker quickly, with the match against Liverpool offering a stern test. Supporters can follow the team's progress up the standings as the season develops.
