Liam Delap news
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The gist
Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap for £50m. The 23-year-old scored one league goal last season and trains separately.
Background
Liam Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m in June 2025 but struggled with injuries and form, scoring just one Premier League goal. Chelsea have made him available for sale and he has been training away from the first team, with his number nine shirt given to Joao Pedro. Forest have been long-term admirers and are now in advanced talks, though the deal's structure (loan or permanent) remains unclear.
How it unfolded
- Jun 2025Delap joins Chelsea from Ipswich Town for £30m after triggering a release clause.
- 2025 -26 seasonDelap scores just one Premier League goal in 28 appearances, hampered by shoulder and hamstring injuries.
- Aug 20, 2026Reports say Chelsea value Delap at £50m, but interested clubs think a £40m deal is possible; Leeds United deny interest.
- Aug 21, 2026Delap loses his number nine shirt to Joao Pedro and is left out of Chelsea's squad for their Premier League opener against Fulham.
- Aug 24, 2026Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a deal for Delap, with talks progressing and Forest in pole position.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Chelsea have made Delap available for sale at £50m and are training him separately from the first team.
- Analysts
- Interested clubs believe a deal closer to £40m could be possible given Delap's difficult season.
Still unverified
The exact structure of the deal (permanent vs loan) is unconfirmed; some reports suggest a loan, while others indicate a permanent transfer. Delap's preference to stay in the Premier League is based on talkSPORT's report.