Nottingham Forest monitor Liam Delap as Chelsea striker favours Premier League stay

Liam Delap would prefer to remain in the Premier League if he leaves Chelsea this summer, with Nottingham Forest among the clubs monitoring the striker’s situation.

talkSPORT reports that Forest, Everton and Newcastle are all keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, although none of the Premier League clubs have yet made a concrete offer.

Delap’s future has become increasingly uncertain despite his involvement in Chelsea’s pre-season preparations under Xabi Alonso. The striker remains part of the first-team squad and has featured during the summer, but competition for attacking places has left open the possibility of a move before the transfer window closes.

Nottingham Forest’s interest is not new, with the club having previously been linked with Delap, while Everton have also been credited with an interest in strengthening their forward options. The latest development centres instead on the player’s preference to continue his career in England if Chelsea decide to sanction a departure.

Como have also been linked with Delap, with reports in Italy suggesting the Serie A club have explored the possibility of a loan move. That creates an alternative route for the striker, although a Premier League switch would appear to be his preferred outcome at this stage.

There is currently no indication that Chelsea have reached an agreement with any interested club, while Delap has not been reported to have chosen a destination.

His situation could therefore remain dependent on whether one of his Premier League suitors turns interest into a formal proposal. Until that happens, Forest and Everton remain among several clubs monitoring a player whose role at Chelsea is still unresolved ahead of the new season.