Nottingham Forest have entered contention to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, in a potential hijack of Premier League rivals Everton.
It was revealed this weekend that Everton are leading the race to sign Delap, who has been valued at £40m by the Blues, despite him struggling to make an impact during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge last season.
The Englishman finished the season with just one Premier League goal, and he averaged just 0.08 goals per 90, with Joao Pedro ultimately displacing him in the starting XI.
However, the former Ipswich Town man was on the scoresheet on 12 occasions in 37 appearances during the 2024-25 Premier League season, at which point he received major plaudits from Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler, who admitted he’s been a long-term admirer.
“At my former club [St. Pauli] I heard his name because we heard that he’s a special talent, right when he played for City in the youth academy, and he had impressive performances.
“I think he is the whole package and has had impressive performances for someone so young. He plays like an experienced striker and is so fast and athletic with a shot. He’s a big danger.”
The Tricky Trees relied on Morgan Gibbs-White and lacked a consistent striker last season, as Chris Wood spent a prolonged period on the treatment table, and if Delap is able to replicate his Ipswich form, he could be a solid addition to Oliver Glasner‘s squad.
|
Ranking |
Nottingham Forest top Premier League scorers 2025-26 |
Number of goals |
|
1. |
Morgan Gibbs-White |
15 |
|
2. |
Igor Jesus |
6 |
|
3. |
Taiwo Awoniyi |
4 |
|
3. |
Elliot Anderson |
4 |
|
5. |
Callum Hudson-Odoi |
3 |
|
5. |
Chris Wood |
3 |
Nottingham Forest join the race for Liam Delap
According to a report from talkSPORT, Nottingham Forest have now entered the race to sign Delap, and the Chelsea centre-forward is keen to remain a Premier League player beyond the summer.
The Blues are demanding £40m for their striker, despite the fact he struggled to hit the heights expected of him last season, after arriving at Stamford Bridge for £30m.
The ex-Ipswich man remains in high demand, with Newcastle United also keen, while Manchester United have also been named as potential suitors, after showing an interest last summer.
Nottingham Forest still working to sign new midfielder
Bringing in a new centre-forward may be important, considering Wood will turn 35 in December, and Igor Jesus bagged just six Premier League goals last season.
However, Forest also remain keen on signing a midfielder too, with it recently being revealed that Glasner is personally keen on signing AC Milan star Youssouf Fofana, and the Italian side are prepared to cash-in on the Frenchman for just £13m this summer.
Ruben Amorim considers Fofana surplus to requirements, despite him featuring regularly throughout the 2025-26 campaign, chipping in with two goals and three assists in 33 Serie A matches.