Nottingham Forest don enter advanced talks with Chelsea for the transfer of Liam Delap, as head coach Oliver Glasner dey push for two more signings before the window close next Tuesday.
Delap, wey dey 23 years old, don dey out of favour at Stamford Bridge. According to reports, the former Ipswich striker dey train away from Xabi Alonso first team, and e no even make Chelsea squad for their Monday game against Fulham.
The striker still get five years remaining for the contract wey e sign when e join Chelsea from Ipswich Town for June 2025. For the 2024-25 season, Delap score 12 goals for 37 league appearances for Ipswich, and e even make shortlist for Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
Glasner, wey don set up Forest with three-man defence, dey believe say Delap be the kind of striker wey e need. Na so e use Jean-Philippe Mateta for Crystal Palace before, and e see similarity with Delap — powerful runs, ability to press, and strength to hold up play.
Delap also fit play behind two creative number 10s for the 3-4-2-1 formation wey Glasner like. E fit carry ball at speed, and e fit open gaps for defenders. Forest don dey monitor am for several weeks, and dem even try sign am when e still dey Ipswich.
But some Forest fans no too sure about the deal. One fan talk say Chris Wood knee no go fit carry am for 20 games this season, while Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo still need to prove themselves. Another fan talk say Delap no be prolific scorer, but e fit recapture im Ipswich form.
For Chelsea, Joao Pedro don take over as first-choice striker, and e even wear Delap’s No 9 shirt. Joao Pedro dey lead attack under Enzo Maresca before im departure for January, then Liam Rosenior and interim coach Calum McFarlane continue with am.
Forest don already sign Ousmane Diomande for £35m from Sporting CP, plus free agents Xaver Schlager and Steven Benda. Dem still dey look for wing-back cover, as e be say the new formation need am.
Forest go host Leeds for Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday, and Morgan Gibbs-White no go fit play because of knee problem. Dem hope say e go fit return for the trip to Liverpool on Saturday.
