Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal worth £50m to sign Liam Delap from Chelsea, who have also opened talks over selling Nicolas Jackson to Aston Villa. The agreement for Delap includes a club-record fee of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for the 23-year-old striker.
Delap's move to Forest
Delap has struggled since joining Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m last summer, managing only one league goal last season and suffering from injuries. Despite this, Forest's manager, Oliver Glasner, identified the former Manchester City striker as a key target, and Delap now has a chance to revive his career at the City Ground.
Forest were one of several clubs interested in Delap. The deal marks a significant investment for the club as they look to strengthen their attacking options.
Chelsea's outgoings and Jackson's future
Chelsea are focused on outgoings before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday. They are also hoping to sell Jackson, who was on loan at Bayern Munich last season. The Senegal international is valued at £65m and has been earmarked by Aston Villa as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is expected to join the Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Chelsea are not willing to agree to another loan for Jackson and want his valuation met. Villa are likely to press for a favourable payment schedule to ensure they can afford a permanent deal. Atlético Madrid are also interested in the 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023. Unai Emery, Villa's manager, previously worked with Jackson at Villarreal.
West Ham's clear-out and Diouf's likely departure
West Ham's clear-out after relegation from the Premier League is expected to continue with El Hadji Malick Diouf joining Brentford for about £35m. The clubs are in discussions over a deal for the left-back, and an agreement is likely soon. Diouf wants to leave and was left out of the squad when Nuno Espírito Santo's side lost 2-1 at home against Charlton last Saturday, continuing their disappointing start to the Championship season.
West Ham signed the Senegal international for £19m from Slavia Prague last year. Brentford have made four signings and plan to strengthen further.
Pressure on Nuno and other transfer moves
Nuno is understood to be under growing pressure after West Ham's flat start, and his hand has been weakened by a host of players hoping to force their way out. The Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez has not been involved in the first two league games and is the subject of interest from Olympiakos and Real Sociedad.
Torino have had a bid rejected for the midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, who is on Crystal Palace's shortlist. Marseille could sign the French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo. West Ham have raised funds through the sales of Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville and Freddie Potts, and have loaned Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Aston Villa and Niclas Füllkrug to Werder Bremen.
