Nottingham Forest in advanced talks with Chelsea over Liam Delap

Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a move for striker Liam Delap, according to reporting by The Guardian. No transfer fee or agreement has been confirmed, and the talks remain unresolved. The 23-year-old was not included in Chelsea’s squad for Monday’s game at Fulham after training away from head coach Xabi Alonso’s first team.

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Delap had previously attracted Forest’s interest before choosing Chelsea when he left Ipswich. His current position at Stamford Bridge has reopened the possibility of a switch to Forest, where head coach Oliver Glasner is seeking further additions before the transfer window closes. The Guardian reported that Forest are trying to complete two more signings.

Glasner has introduced a three-player defence at the City Ground and wants greater depth at wing-back as part of the remaining recruitment work. He said the club was working hard on deals and expressed confidence that two more high-quality players would arrive, though he did not publicly identify Delap or confirm that an agreement with Chelsea was close.

Forest have already added Ousmane Diomande, Xaver Schlager and Steven Benda during the summer window. The Guardian reported that Diomande cost £34 million after joining from Sporting, while Forest paid no fee for the other two arrivals. A deal for Delap would add another attacking option to a squad being reshaped under Glasner.

The negotiations come during a busy week on the field. Forest are due to host Leeds in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, shortly after losing to the same opponents in the Premier League. Morgan Gibbs-White will miss the cup tie because of a knee problem, but Forest hope the midfielder can return for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool, according to the same report.

For now, Delap remains a Chelsea player and the reported discussions have not produced a completed transfer. Forest’s interest is at an advanced stage, but any move still depends on the clubs reaching final terms and completing the usual formalities before the window shuts.