Nottingham Forest Pursue Liam Delap from Chelsea

Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal for Liam Delap, with Oliver Glasner pushing hard to add a striker before the transfer window shuts, according to the Daily Mail.

Forest’s initial proposal is a loan with an option to buy next summer, a structure that would let them test Delap at Premier League level before committing long term. Glasner’s urgency is clear. His side’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Leeds United at the weekend underlined a familiar problem: neat approach play, not enough ruthlessness in the box.

Delap stuck in reverse at Chelsea

For Delap, the timing of Forest’s interest could hardly be more critical. His Chelsea career has stalled badly.

He arrived from Ipswich Town with momentum behind him after an impressive spell at Portman Road, but the step up to Stamford Bridge has proved unforgiving. Expectations rose quickly. His output did not. One league goal in his debut season told its own story.

The warning signs intensified when he played no part in Chelsea’s recent Premier League win over Fulham. That omission felt less like rotation and more like a message. Inside the club, there is now an openness to offers, and the 21-year-old finds himself on the list of expendable forwards.

The symbolism has been brutal. Joao Pedro has taken the No.9 shirt ahead of the new campaign, a clear nod to the Brazilian’s status after a standout first year. Delap has been pushed to No.12, a downgrade that mirrors his slide down Alonso’s pecking order.

With Nicolas Jackson and summer signing Marc Guiu also ahead of him, the route to meaningful minutes under the Spanish manager looks almost completely blocked for the former Manchester City academy prospect.

Forest lead the race – but not alone

Forest are in pole position, but Delap’s situation has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in the Premier League.

Ipswich Town have explored the idea of bringing him back, banking on the comfort of familiar surroundings to reignite his form. Everton are hovering too, ready to move if the market breaks their way. The Toffees are thought to favour a loan if other clubs hesitate over permanent bids, keeping their risk low while chasing extra goals.

So Forest have a head start, not a free run.

Glasner’s rebuild gathers pace

Delap is just one piece of a wider rebuild at the City Ground as Glasner reshapes his squad in his own image.

Forest have already spent heavily on Ousmane Diomande, landing the defender from Sporting CP for £36 million. They have also worked the free-agent market smartly, adding midfielder Xaver Schlager and goalkeeper Steve Benda to deepen the squad.

Those moves have been underpinned by serious outgoing business. The £116 million sale of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City has given Forest room to manoeuvre, financially and strategically. That windfall now fuels pursuits like Delap, allowing Glasner to target players who can lift the ceiling rather than simply plug gaps.

The recruitment drive does not stop at centre-forward. Forest are tracking Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy as well, again with Everton lurking as rivals. The pattern is obvious: players with Premier League minutes in their legs or clear upside who can adapt quickly to Glasner’s demands.

Chelsea clear the decks, Delap waits on England

Despite having five years left on his contract, Delap sits firmly among the forwards Chelsea are prepared to move on as they trim a bloated squad.

Since Alonso’s arrival, the club has embarked on a sweeping overhaul: squad numbers reshuffled, long-standing names eased towards the exit, and younger players judged ruthlessly on whether they fit the new project.

Delap, for his part, is in no rush to jump at the first offer from abroad. His preference is clear: stay in the Premier League, prove he belongs at this level, and rebuild his reputation on English soil.

Como, coached by Cesc Fabregas, showed interest in taking him to Serie A earlier in the window, but that avenue has cooled against the striker’s desire to remain in England.

So the stage is set. Forest want goals. Chelsea want clarity. Delap wants a fresh start without leaving the Premier League. Which club gives him that platform – and at what price – will shape the next chapter of a career that badly needs a jolt.