Nottingham Forest sign Liam Delap in club-record £50m deal from Chelsea; striker moved to Stamford Bridge last summer from Ipswich Town but scored just two goals in 41 games; Chelsea could make a profit of up to £20m having signed the 23-year-old for £30m
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Nottingham Forest have signed striker Liam Delap in a club-record deal from Chelsea.
The transfer is understood to be worth at least £45m, potentially reaching £50m with add-ons, meaning Chelsea could make up to £20m profit on the 23-year-old, having only signed him from Ipswich Town last summer for £30m.
The forward has signed a five-year deal at the City Ground. "I really can't wait to get started. This is a massive club with a big history," he said in a statement.
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"I spoke to the manager and I like his way. I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step and hopefully I can bring goals here."
Delap made 47 appearances for Chelsea, scoring just three times, after impressing for Ipswich, where he netted 12 Premier League goals in 37 games as they were relegated from the top flight in 2024/25.
Delap had interest from several other Premier League clubs, including Everton.
Forest's previous record transfer saw Omari Hutchison join for £37.5m from Ipswich Town in August 2025.
From a business perspective, this represents a superb sale for Chelsea as they bank a huge profit on a player who scored just three times in an underwhelming campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Many outsiders baulked at the £50m price tag which Chelsea slapped on Delap's head this summer but the Blues are set to receive the full asking price if the add-ons attached to the deal are achieved.
Chelsea capitalised on a market opportunity last summer. Delap's £30m release clause following Ipswich's relegation had many leading Premier League clubs interested. The forward scored 12 goals in the Tractor Boys' 2024/25 season in the top flight.
And a forgettable campaign in west London has not put off Nottingham Forest. A dearth of proven, natural No 9s means they come at a premium.
Forest's need is pretty clear too. Oliver Glasner doesn't like to be pigeonholed tactically, but his main success as a manager has come when he's had a focal point up front, whether that be Jean-Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani or Wout Weghorst.
