Nottingham Forest are ramping up their pursuit of Chelsea’s Liam Delap as Oliver Glasner eyes two major signings before the window closes.
Forest are in talks with Chelsea over a potential loan deal for the forward after he was made available at Stamford Bridge and not included in their opening-day squad against Fulham.
Negotiations are ongoing, but Delap fits the profile of striker Forest are prioritising and is a long-term target for both the club and Glasner from his spell at Crystal Palace.
The former Ipswich Town forward held talks with Forest last year over a potential move, and was also understood to have spoken with Glasner while he was at Palace.
Telegraph Sport first reported Forest’s interest in signing Delap from Chelsea on July 28.
Forest have also been linked with Brentford’s Igor Thiago, yet while the club are admirers, nothing is expected before the deadline.
Glasner also wants more competition at right wing-back after introducing a back-three defensive formation and holds interest in Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy, who is one of three players under consideration.
Former England under-21 international Murphy has been with Newcastle for almost a decade and delivered eight goals and 12 assists in the 2024-25 Premier League season under Eddie Howe.
Glasner said: “I’m very confident that we will get in two more high-quality players. We won’t do business just to add numbers. We already know which players we want to bring in, now it is about getting the deals done. The club is working hard to get the deals done and that’s it.”
Forest could also sanction several departures before the window closes, with £30m signing Dilane Bakwa a target for clubs on loan. Ipswich, Hull City and Fiorentina have all expressed an interest in signing Bakwa for the season.
Arnaud Kalimuendo, a £26m signing from Rennes last summer, is now expected to stay after impressing Glasner in pre-season.
Glasner’s Forest reign started with a 1-0 home defeat by Leeds on Saturday, and the two clubs face each other again in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.