Chelsea FC have agreed a staggering £115 million double sale of strikers Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, according to a report from Daily Mail Sport. The deals continue the club's major summer clear-out under manager Xabi Alonso, with Delap heading to Nottingham Forest for £50 million and Jackson close to joining Aston Villa for £65 million.
This significant transfer activity comes as Chelsea sit 6th in the Premier League table with 3 points from their opening game, a 3-2 win over Fulham. They have scored 3 goals and conceded 2 so far this season, with Cole Palmer their top scorer on 1 goal. Their next challenge is a home match against league leaders Brighton on 30 August, a fixture you can view on our fixtures page.
What are the details of the Liam Delap transfer?
Liam Delap's move to Nottingham Forest is agreed at a fee of £50 million. This figure breaks down as £45 million guaranteed with a further £5 million in potential add-ons. The 23-year-old striker joined Chelsea just last summer from Ipswich Town after the club activated a £30 million release clause. His single season at Stamford Bridge proved disappointing, yielding just one Premier League goal in 28 appearances and two goals across 41 total games. Delap had been training separately from the main group at Cobham and was omitted from the squad for the season's first match, signalling his departure was imminent. Chelsea's sale represents a clear profit on their initial investment.
Why is Nicolas Jackson leaving Chelsea?
Nicolas Jackson is understood to be close to a £65 million transfer to Aston Villa, a move that would meet Chelsea's full asking price for the 25-year-old Senegalese forward. Jackson is reportedly keen on reuniting with his former manager Unai Emery at Villa Park. His potential exit, alongside that of Marc Guiu, is part of a strategic reshuffle of Chelsea's attacking options. The club has made Joao Pedro their untouchable frontman, handed the number 9 shirt that Delap once wore, and has also brought in experienced striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton. Young forward Emmanuel Emegha remains part of the squad plans, making Jackson available for sale.
How does this reshape Chelsea's attack?
The double departure marks a decisive shift in Chelsea's forward line under Xabi Alonso. The club is set to recoup £115 million from the sales of two strikers who were deemed surplus to requirements. This follows the earlier signing of Danny Welbeck and the establishment of Joao Pedro as the primary attacking focal point. Delap, despite wanting to stay and prove himself, became expendable after a difficult debut campaign. The financial boost from these sales could be significant for the club's summer budget and Financial Fair Play calculations. You can track the evolving squad composition on our squad page.
What is the context of Chelsea's season start?
Chelsea began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a narrow 3-2 victory, demonstrating both attacking threat and defensive vulnerability. Their current league standing and goal difference of +1 provide the immediate backdrop for this squad overhaul. With Cole Palmer currently leading the scoring charts, the responsibility now falls on the remaining and new attacking players to maintain momentum. The swift resolution of these sales allows Alonso and his staff to focus fully on preparing for the tough test against high-flying Brighton. Fans can follow the team's progress in the standings as the season develops.
The reported deals, if completed, conclude a rapid fire-sale of attacking talent as Chelsea streamline their options. The focus now turns to integrating the preferred strike force and building on a winning, if unconvincing, start to the new season.
