Nottingham Forest are working to sign 23-year-old Chelsea striker Liam Delap before the transfer window closes on September 1, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town last summer for £30 million but scored just one Premier League goal in 28 appearances during his only season at the club [1, 3].
Delap has been training separately from Chelsea’s first team and was omitted from their squad for Monday’s Premier League match against Fulham [1, 2, 3]. Chelsea currently have 39 senior players and aim to approve multiple sales and loans to reduce their squad before the deadline [1]. It is unclear if Forest’s pursuit of Delap is for a permanent transfer or a loan deal [1].
Forest manager Oliver Glasner expressed confidence that the club would sign two more high-quality players before the transfer window closes. He said, "The club is working very hard to get these deals done. I’m very confident that we will get in two more high-quality players" [2, 3].
This summer, Forest have already strengthened their squad by signing defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34 million, along with free agents midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda [1, 2]. In contrast, they sold England midfielder Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a club-record £116 million and striker Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for £9 million [1].
Forest will host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup second round on August 25, with midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White missing due to a knee problem but expected back for the Premier League trip to Liverpool on August 29 [2].
Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso declined to comment on transfer issues, saying, "About transfers, personal situations, I am not the one to ask" [3].
The immediate next step for Nottingham Forest is to finalize their transfer business before the window shuts on September 1, while preparing for their cup match against Leeds tomorrow.
