Nottingham Forest have emerged as one of the frontrunners in the race for Chelsea outcast Liam Delap, with the Blues now willing to sell the striker for a fee between £35 million and £40 million after a forgettable debut season at Stamford Bridge.
A Nightmare First Year in West London
It’s been a brutal introduction to Chelsea life for the 23-year-old. After arriving from Ipswich Town for £30 million last summer via a relegation release clause, Delap managed just two goals in 41 appearances across all competitions a return that’s fallen well short of what Chelsea envisioned when they beat off competition to sign him. Despite that underwhelming campaign, the Blues are still demanding a straight profit on the deal, according to the iPaper.
Why Forest Make Sense
This isn’t a fresh interest for Nottingham Forest — it’s unfinished business. Delap turned down Forest’s advances last summer before opting for Chelsea’s Champions League promise instead, but with Oliver Glasner now at the helm and reportedly personally driving the club’s pursuit, Forest look ready to try again. The City Ground project offers exactly what’s been missing for Delap at Chelsea: a clear pathway into a starting role rather than fighting for scraps of playing time.
Forest have already shown genuine transfer ambition this summer, agreeing a £34.1 million deal for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande and signing Austria international Xaver Schlager on a free transfer. A move for Delap would fit the pattern of a club building serious depth under an ambitious new manager, rather than making a desperate reclamation gamble.
The Competition Forest Face
They won’t have this race to themselves. Everton and Leeds United are also credited with strong interest, per the iPaper, with Everton in particular having a head start they held talks with Delap last summer before he ultimately snubbed them for Chelsea. Manchester United, meanwhile, were previously linked but have reportedly ruled out reviving their interest, instead focusing on bringing in a forward to compete with Benjamin Sesko.
Why Chelsea Are Ready to Sell
The timing lines up conveniently for Chelsea, too. The club are closing in on a deal to sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton, a move that could pave the way for Delap’s departure as part of a wider forward-line reshuffle. Chelsea are also reportedly exploring solutions for Emmanuel Emegha, Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, suggesting a genuine numbers crunch up top at Stamford Bridge that makes selling Delap for value an attractive option this summer.
The Bigger Picture
For Delap, a move to Forest would represent a fresh start under a manager building something exciting, without the suffocating competition for minutes he faced in west London. For Forest, it’s a calculated gamble on a player who flashed genuine promise at Ipswich before his Chelsea move stalled and if Glasner can get the best out of him, it could prove one of the shrewdest pieces of business in a summer already packed with ambition at the City Ground.
Bottom line: With Chelsea’s asking price now public and multiple suitors circling, the Delap situation is heating up fast and Forest, having chased him once before, look determined not to miss out a second time.
