Nottingham Forest agree fee for Chelsea striker Liam Delap

By Robert O'Connor, Press Association

Chelsea striker Liam Delap is set to join Nottingham Forest after the two clubs agreed a £45million (€52 million) fee, the Press Association understands.

The 23-year-old will be getting a fresh start at the City Ground after being told he is not in Xabi Alonso’s plans at Chelsea.

He has been made to train separately and had his number nine shirt reassigned as Alonso made his feelings clear.

Delap will now play for a third club in three seasons after Forest agreed a club-record £45m deal, which could go up to £50m with add-ons.

Chelsea will make a profit on a player they signed for £30m from Ipswich a year ago, despite the fact he managed only two goals in all competitions last season.

PA understands talks began on Monday between Delap’s camp and Forest and the move accelerated quickly.

He will provide competition up front with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus, with Forest also looking to add more signings before the transfer window shuts.

Chelsea opened their new Premier League campaign with a 3-2 win over west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night.

Morgan Rogers, a £117million summer buy from Aston Villa, got the Blues’ second goal to restore their lead late in the first half and contributed to a scintillating attacking display alongside Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro.

It handed Alonso victory in his first game in charge and hinted at what is to come from the team under his stewardship.

Rogers managed 82 minutes on his first competitive appearance since England’s wild victory over France in the World Cup third-place match five weeks ago.

“Coming to a new team, you don’t want to come in sluggish and off the pace, so I tried to keep myself in the best shape possible and I’ve tried to get up to speed as quickly as I can,” said Rogers.

“I still think there are more gears to go, and I’ve got to try and find them as quickly as possible because the games are coming thick and fast.

“But I felt good out there and I enjoyed it.”

Chelsea’s attacking trio were irresistible at times in the west London derby, the combinations between Rogers, Palmer and Joao Pedro seemingly defying the fact this was their first time playing together.

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Pedro’s goal after 31 seconds gave them the perfect start and though an error from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez allowed Josh King to equalise, Rogers’ goal restored the lead before the excellent Palmer made it three.

Of more concern for Alonso, however, will be the encouragement Chelsea gave to Fulham in allowing them back in. It was a questionable defensive display, encapsulated by handing the hosts an avoidable goal via debutant Gonzalo Garcia from another Sanchez blunder.

“It was a great game to play in,” said Rogers. “I thought the quality of our play was excellent and it was so enjoyable out there.

“Fulham is a difficult place to come to, and they played really well, but we had that fight, that grit and I think we were the better team on the night.”