‘I can’t wait’: Liam Delap seals £45m Nottingham Forest move from Chelsea

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of the Chelsea striker Liam Delap in a club-record £45m deal. The 23-year-old has a five-year contract at Forest, his third club in three seasons after he was told he was not part of Xabi Alonso’s plans.

Forest’s new manager, Oliver Glasner, made him a priority during the transfer window and Delap said: “I really can’t wait to get started. 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.”

The former England youth international had been made to train separately at Chelsea and had the No 9 shirt reassigned to João Pedro. Chelsea have made a profit on a player they signed for £30m from Ipswich a year ago, despite Delap scoring two goals in all competitions.

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Honest Ahanor from Atalanta for £40m. The 18-year-old is one of the most highly rated young centre-backs in Italy and is regarded as one for the future by Chelsea, who are likely to send him on loan.

Ipswich have signed the Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen on a four-year contract for a reported £23.5m fee.

“This is a club with great ambition, and I am excited to play football in England and compete against some of the best clubs and players in the world,” said Palacios, who has 41 Argentina caps and joins Paraguay playmaker Julio Enciso and Brazilian forward Emersonn in making the move to Portman Road this summer.

Ipswich are also pursuing a loan move for the Aston Villa forward Tammy Abraham, with an agreement in place between the clubs for a straight loan. Abraham, who signed for Villa in January, must decide whether he wants to accept the move.

Manchester United are in discussions with Fiorentina over a loan for Joshua Zirkzee. The 25-year-old forward, signed by United two years ago for £38.5m from Bologna, has failed to establish himself under the three managers he has played under at Old Trafford: Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick. The Dutchman has made 75 appearances, scoring nine goals and making four assists.

Southampton are close to a deal to bring James Ward-Prowse back to the Championship club. The midfielder is out of favour at West Ham, who signed him from Southampton in 2023, and is poised to return to St Mary’s for a nominal fee. West Ham are looking to move players out after relegation and are also open to offers for Jean-Clair Todibo, Edson Álvarez and Maxwel Cornet. El Hadji Malick Diouf is poised to join Brentford in a deal worth up to £40m.