Nottingham Forest are set to win the race to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap.
Forest have emerged as the club set to land the 23-year-old after a summer of interest from a number of Premier League sides, with the former Ipswich Town striker now closing in on a move to the City Ground.
TEAMtalk previously revealed that Everton had been leading the chase, with Leeds United and Newcastle United also involved in the battle for Delap.
Chelsea had made it clear earlier in the summer that Delap could leave Stamford Bridge as part of a reshaping of their attacking options, with fellow front-men Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu also available.
Delap has been weighing up his options throughout the summer, with his priority understood to be finding a club where he can establish himself as a regular first-team player.
Forest have now moved to the front of the race and TEAMtalk understands Oliver Glasner has played a leading role in convincing Delap to make the move to the City Ground.
The Forest head coach has outlined his plans for the striker and helped persuade Delap that he can play an important role in the club’s ambitious project.
Forest have been pushing hard to get the deal done and are now set to beat the competition to Delap, with the final stages of the transfer being worked through.
Chelsea had been looking for around £40million for the England international, although the final structure of the agreement is still being finalised.
Delap’s move would see him remain in the Premier League and provide Forest with a major attacking addition as they continue to strengthen their squad.
Forest recently sold Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City for a reported fee of £17m, while fellow striker Chris Wood is now 34 and in the latter stages of his Premier League career.
Meanwhile, we can reveal that Manchester City have asked about a surprise Chelsea player.
Elsewhere, we confirmed on Sunday that Forest are leading the race for a Barcelona midfielder.
