Forest agree £50m Delap deal as Chelsea discuss Jackson sale

Nottingham Forest have agreed a £50m deal to sign Liam Delap from Chelsea, in a move that would set a new club record. The agreement is worth £45m up front plus a further £5m in add-ons, while Chelsea have also opened talks with Aston Villa over the possible sale of Nicolas Jackson.

Forest move decisively for Delap

Forest were among a number of clubs tracking Delap, but have now moved ahead with an agreement for the 23-year-old striker. The fee underlines how highly Forest regard him, despite a difficult spell at Chelsea following his move from Ipswich last summer.

Delap managed only one league goal last season and his campaign was disrupted by injuries. Even so, he remained a priority target for Forest manager Oliver Glasner, who now appears set to give the former Manchester City forward an opportunity to rebuild momentum at the City Ground.

The transfer also reflects a broader reshaping of Chelsea’s attacking options. With João Pedro and Danny Welbeck established as the main strikers this season under Xabi Alonso, other forwards have been left to look elsewhere for regular opportunities.

Chelsea open Jackson talks with Villa

Chelsea are concentrating on player sales before the transfer window closes next Tuesday, and Jackson is another forward who could leave. Aston Villa have opened discussions over the Senegal international, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Jackson is valued at £65m by Chelsea. Villa are considering him as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins, who is expected to join Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League. Chelsea, however, are not prepared to sanction another loan and want their valuation to be met.

Villa are likely to seek a payment structure that would make a permanent deal more manageable. Atlético Madrid are also interested in the 25-year-old, while Villa manager Unai Emery knows Jackson from their time together at Villarreal.

Diouf closing in on Brentford switch

Elsewhere, Brentford are in discussions with West Ham over a deal for El Hadji Malick Diouf, with an agreement thought to be close. The left-back is expected to cost about £35m as West Ham’s squad overhaul continues following relegation from the Premier League.

Diouf wants to leave and was left out of the squad for West Ham’s home defeat to Charlton last Saturday, a result that extended a poor start to the Championship season for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. West Ham signed the Senegal international from Slavia Prague last year for £19m.

Brentford have already made four signings and are planning further additions, with Diouf now looking likely to become the latest part of their recruitment drive.

Key transfer developments

• Nottingham Forest have agreed a £50m deal for Liam Delap
• The package is worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons
• Chelsea have opened talks with Aston Villa over Nicolas Jackson
• Jackson is valued at £65m and Chelsea want a permanent sale
• Brentford are in talks to sign El Hadji Malick Diouf from West Ham