Nottingham Forest are closing in on a deal to bring Liam Delap to the City Ground from Chelsea, with talks between the two clubs described as advanced ahead of next week's transfer deadline.
The 23-year-old striker has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge under Xabi Alonso and has been training separately from the first team, in a group that reportedly also includes Marc Guiu, Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson. Delap was omitted from Chelsea's matchday squad for Monday's Premier League opener against Fulham, a clear sign that his future lies elsewhere.
According to reports, Chelsea have made Delap available for around £50m, though it remains unclear whether Forest's move would be a permanent transfer or a loan arrangement. The two clubs are said to enjoy a strong working relationship, which could help smooth the negotiations.
Delap's situation at Chelsea has been complicated since his £30m arrival from a relegated Ipswich Town side just over a year ago. Injuries to his shoulder and hamstring restricted his impact last season, during which he managed only one league goal, three goals and five assists in total across 47 appearances in all competitions. His path to regular football was further blocked by the strong form of Joao Pedro, who took the number nine shirt from him, as well as the returning Nicolas Jackson from his loan at Bayern Munich and the summer signing of Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg.
Interest from Everton has also been mentioned this summer, though the extent of that interest remains unclear. Delap had also attracted attention from Manchester United and Everton before his move to Chelsea last year.
For Forest, signing Delap would add further competition up front alongside Chris Wood and Igor Jesus. It would represent the club's fourth notable summer arrival, following the £34m capture of centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, plus free transfers Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda. Forest have also been active in outgoing deals, selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116m and striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9m.
Head coach Oliver Glasner, who has switched Forest to a three-man defensive system, is keen to add further reinforcements before the window shuts, particularly at wing-back. "The club is working very hard to get these deals done," Glasner said. "I'm very confident that we will get in two more high-quality players."
Forest's immediate focus, however, is on Tuesday's Carabao Cup second-round clash with Leeds United, a repeat of last weekend's Premier League fixture which ended in defeat for Glasner's side. Morgan Gibbs-White will be unavailable because of a knee issue, though the club are hopeful he will recover in time for the trip to Liverpool on Saturday.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are focused on trimming a squad that currently numbers 39 senior players before the 1 September deadline, prioritising departures and loan exits as they continue to reshape the squad under Alonso.
Elsewhere in the market, Aston Villa are increasing their pursuit of Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez as a potential replacement for Ezri Konsa, having already seen a bid for Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis turned down. Coventry City are also working on a move for Brentford's Ethan Pinnock, which would be their ninth signing of the summer, while Sunderland have completed the signing of midfielder Jules Ahoka from Royal Antwerp for a reported £8m.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, Standard Football, and BBC Sport Football.