Why Liam Delap Could Be a Transformative Signing for Nottingham Forest in Their Quest for Europe
Nottingham Forest’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday might have served as a harsh reality check, but it shouldn’t overshadow the broader context of the club’s progress under Nuno Espírito Santo. After a mixed start to the season, Forest have shown signs of growth, tactical identity, and a clearer sense of purpose. While European qualification still hangs in the balance, Forest remain very much in contention, especially with several crucial fixtures still to come.
However, to truly establish themselves among the elite — not just as occasional challengers but as regular European participants — the squad needs reinforcing, particularly in the attacking department. Injuries to Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi have left Forest exposed in recent weeks, and it’s clear the club needs a longer-term solution up front. That’s where Liam Delap, currently shining in a struggling Ipswich Town side, enters the conversation.
Forest did solid work in the summer 2024 transfer window, bringing in 11 new players to bolster the squad. Among those, Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic have stood out for their consistency and immediate impact. Anderson has added creativity and balance in midfield, while Milenkovic has brought leadership and experience to a backline that had too often looked disjointed. The duo of David Carmo and Marko Stamenic being loaned straight out to Olympiacos — a common move in Evangelos Marinakis’ network of clubs — also hints at long-term planning. Yet even with these additions, Forest remain one or two top-tier signings away from being a truly rounded squad. One of those signings has to be a forward.
The Need for a Striker: An Unavoidable Priority
It’s no secret that Forest were in the market for a striker in January. Marinakis was reportedly keen to bring in a proven goal-scorer, especially with concerns over the long-term fitness of both Wood and Awoniyi. The January window, however, proved difficult — as it often does — and Forest were unable to land their target. Now, the urgency is even greater.
With European qualification on the line, and with ambitions of Champions League football very much alive, Forest must not miss their opportunity in the upcoming summer window. The stakes are high. If Forest want to be more than a one-season wonder in Europe, they need a striker who is not only talented and ready to play but also capable of growing with the club. Liam Delap fits that profile perfectly.
Stan Collymore’s Endorsement Carries Weight
Former Forest star Stan Collymore has made a compelling case for his former club to move for Delap. Speaking to Caught Offside, Collymore urged the 22-year-old striker to snub interest from Manchester United in favour of a more strategically sound move — one where he’d play regularly and develop in a system built for his strengths.
“If I was Liam Delap, I would not join Manchester United this summer,” Collymore said. “Instead, he should consider joining someone like Nottingham Forest, who are putting their money where their mouth is. All he needs to do is look at guys like Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood, who have turned their fortunes around over the last 12 months.”
Collymore’s insight isn’t just romanticised punditry from a former player; it’s rooted in practical footballing logic. Forest under Nuno play a style that suits Delap’s strengths — direct, transitional football that relies on a mobile, physical striker to spearhead attacks. Delap, who is aggressive in his pressing, intelligent in his movement, and composed in front of goal, would thrive in such a system.
Delap’s Numbers Speak for Themselves
Despite Ipswich Town’s precarious position near the bottom of the Premier League table — now 12 points adrift of safety following their defeat to Wolves — Delap has been one of the bright sparks in an otherwise difficult campaign. With 12 goals and two assists to his name, Delap has shown that he can find the net even when the service isn’t always ideal.
That kind of resilience and productivity under pressure is precisely what a team like Forest needs. It’s easy to score when your team dominates possession and creates chances galore, but it’s another thing entirely to deliver when you’re constantly under the cosh. Delap has been described as a “monster” by Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer — a nod to his physical presence, relentless energy, and impact on matches. He’s not just a goalscorer; he’s a complete centre-forward in the making.
A Long-Term Replacement for Chris Wood
Delap’s playing style draws natural comparisons to Chris Wood, who has led the line well for Forest when fit. But at 32, Wood is nearing the twilight of his career. Delap, by contrast, is only 22, with his best years ahead of him. Bringing him in this summer could provide a seamless transition in the striker role — with Delap learning from Wood in the short-term and taking over the mantle fully in the medium to long-term.
He is also far more mobile and dynamic than Wood, able to stretch defences and operate as a lone striker or part of a two-man front line. That gives Nuno more tactical flexibility, especially in Europe, where different systems might be needed.
Forest’s European Vision Requires Strategic Recruitment
If Forest are to qualify for the Champions League — or even the Europa League — next season, they will be facing midweek matches across the continent, which place significant demands on the squad. They’ll need depth, quality, and tactical adaptability. Signing a striker of Delap’s profile would not just be about plugging a hole; it would be about raising the overall ceiling of the team.
Delap would also add to the club’s growing English core, which includes the likes of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi — players who, like him, needed a fresh start and have found their feet at Forest. That trend of providing talented players with a platform to rebuild and thrive is quickly becoming a hallmark of Forest’s recruitment under Nuno and Marinakis.
Competition Will Be Fierce
Of course, Forest won’t have a free run at Delap. If Ipswich go down — which now looks likely — Delap will be one of the most sought-after players in the summer window. Premier League clubs, and perhaps even top Championship sides looking to bounce back, will be queuing up. Manchester United are reportedly interested, though Collymore rightly points out that Delap could get lost in the shuffle at a club that already has Rasmus Højlund and limited patience for developing players.
What Forest can offer — that many clubs can’t — is immediate first-team football in a competitive environment, with a manager who believes in him and a squad that plays to his strengths. Add the prospect of European football and the deal becomes even more appealing.
Final Thoughts: Forest Must Be Bold
Liam Delap wouldn’t just be a smart signing — he’d be a transformative one. At 22, he has all the tools to become one of the best strikers in the Premier League, and under the right guidance, he could explode into life at a club like Forest. With an ambitious ownership group, a forward-thinking manager, and a young, hungry squad, the City Ground could be the perfect place for Delap to fulfil his vast potential.
Nottingham Forest have made strides in recent windows, but to take the next step, they need to make statement signings. Delap could be that statement. Now it’s up to the club to make it happen.
Would you like to see Forest go all in on Delap, or would you prefer they look abroad for a different type of striker — perhaps someone more experienced in European competition?