Delap heads to Forest for £50m as Chelsea open talks to sell Jackson to Aston Villa

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.

Xabi Alonso has made João Pedro and Danny Welbeck his main strikers this season, leaving his other frontmen to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Forest were one of several clubs interested in Delap, who has struggled since joining Chelsea from Ipswich for £30m last summer, and will pay a club record of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for the 23-year-old.

Delap managed only one league goal last season and was hindered by injuries after leaving Ipswich. But the former Manchester City striker was a key target for Forest’s manager, Oliver Glasner, and has a chance to revive his career at the City Ground.

Chelsea are focused on outgoings before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday and 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 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 but 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, worked with Jackson at Villarreal.

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 continued their disappointing start to the Championship season by losing 2-1 at home against Charlton last Saturday.

West Ham signed the Senegal international for £19m from Slavia Prague last year. Brentford have made four signings and are plan to strengthen further.

Nuno, who is understood to be under growing pressure after West Ham’s flat start, has had his hand 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.