Nottingham Forest have broken their transfer record to land Chelsea striker Liam Delap in a £45m deal, with the 23-year-old committing to a five-year contract at the City Ground. The move ends a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge for Delap, who was frozen out by Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso and had his No 9 shirt handed to João Pedro.

Forest smash their own record

The fee eclipses anything Forest have spent before and underlines the ambition behind Oliver Glasner's appointment as manager. Glasner identified Delap as his foremost transfer target during the window and moved quickly to push the deal over the line. The noises out of the City Ground suggest this is very much a signing that Glasner has driven personally, and Delap has responded to that show of faith.

Speaking after completing the move, Delap was refreshingly direct about what drew him to the club. "I really can't wait to get started," he said. "This is a massive club with a big history. 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."

A difficult year at Chelsea

Delap arrived at Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m last summer — a move that looked like the natural next step for one of the most coveted young strikers in the country. It did not unfold that way. He managed just two goals in all competitions before being told he had no future under Alonso, training separately from the first team and watching his squad number get redistributed. It is a humbling experience for any young forward, but Delap now arrives at Forest with a point to prove and a manager who clearly believes in him.

Chelsea, for their part, have turned a tidy profit — recouping £45m on a player they bought for £30m twelve months ago, despite his limited contribution on the pitch. That is sharp business from Stamford Bridge, whatever your view of how Delap was handled.

Three clubs in three seasons

The move to Forest represents Delap's third club in as many seasons — Ipswich, then Chelsea, now the East Midlands. At 23, that kind of upheaval can either unsettle a player or sharpen them. The early signs suggest he is hungry rather than rattled. Forest fans will be hoping his arrival signals a return to the form that made him so coveted in the first place.

Delap has been registered in time to be considered for Forest's Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Saturday, which gives Glasner an immediate opportunity to throw his record signing into the deep end. The market has taken note of the deal, with the size of the fee reflecting how highly Delap is still regarded despite a frustrating twelve months at Chelsea.

Whether £45m proves a bargain or an overreach will depend almost entirely on what Delap does next. Forest and Oliver Glasner are betting heavily that this is the environment where he finally delivers on his considerable potential.

FAQs

Frequently asked

How much did Nottingham Forest pay for Liam Delap?
Forest signed Liam Delap from Chelsea for a club-record £45m. The deal includes a five-year contract, making him the most expensive signing in the club's history.
Why did Liam Delap leave Chelsea?
Delap was told he was not part of Xabi Alonso's plans at Chelsea. He was made to train separately from the first team and had his No 9 shirt reassigned to João Pedro before completing the move to Nottingham Forest.
When could Liam Delap make his Nottingham Forest debut?
Delap was registered in time to be available for Forest's Premier League match against Liverpool on Saturday.