Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of striker Liam Delap from Chelsea in a deal that sources value between £45m and £50m, making him the most expensive addition in the club's history. The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the City Ground, becoming his third club in as many seasons.
Delap's departure from Stamford Bridge came after he was informed he did not feature in manager Xabi Alonso's plans, a situation reflected in his being required to train away from the first team and losing his No 9 shirt to Joao Pedro. Despite scoring only twice in all competitions during his solitary season in west London, Chelsea still turned a profit on the £30m they paid Ipswich for him just a year earlier.
Forest's newly installed head coach Oliver Glasner reportedly identified Delap as a key target this summer, pushing to get the deal done quickly. Speaking after his arrival, Delap expressed enthusiasm about the switch. "I really can't wait to get started, this is a massive club with a big history," he said. "I spoke to the manager and I like his way, I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step and hopefully I can bring goals here. I can't wait to hear the noise at the City Ground and have the fans on my side because I know how loud and important they are. As a team we can build something really strong and the main aim is to challenge and be a top club in the Premier League."
The move arrives with Forest searching for attacking solutions after a rocky start to the campaign, having lost 1-0 at home to Leeds United in their Premier League opener before falling 2-0 to the same opponents in the Carabao Cup. Glasner will be hoping Delap's arrival can inject the firepower needed to climb the table, with the striker potentially in line to make his debut against Liverpool this weekend, though it remains to be seen whether he starts immediately.
Delap's career trajectory has been a story of contrasts. His breakout campaign came at Ipswich Town in 2024-25, where he scored 12 Premier League goals despite playing for a side that won just four matches and was relegated. That form, built on his physical power and ability to drive at defenses at pace, prompted comparisons to England captain Harry Kane and drew praise from pundits, including former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who once labeled him