Forest working on deal for Chelsea striker Delap

Nottingham Forest are engaged in talks to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap. The 23‑year‑old forward has been made available for transfer by Chelsea for a fee of £50 million and is currently training away from the first‑team squad. It is not yet clear whether the discussions involve a permanent transfer or a loan arrangement, although the two clubs have a history of cooperative dealings. Delap was omitted from Chelsea’s lineup for Monday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham and lost the number 9 shirt to fellow forward Joao Pedro earlier in the week. His potential exit comes just over a year after his £30 million move from Ipswich Town to Stamford Bridge, a stint in which he managed only one league goal before suffering ankle and hamstring injuries. During the current transfer window Forest have already secured the services of defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34 million, added free‑agent midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda. Conversely, the club sold England midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a record £116 million and striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9 million. Should Delap join, he would provide competition for Chris Wood and Igor Jesus at the City Ground. Chelsea, meanwhile, are seeking to generate revenue and reduce their senior‑player roster ahead of the 1 September transfer deadline, and presently list 39 senior professionals on their books.