Nottingham Forest have reached a verbal agreement to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap, with the transfer set to move forward after the England international gave his approval to the club’s project.

The deal is understood to be worth around £45m initially, with a further £5m available in add-ons, taking the potential total package to £50m. Delap has reportedly agreed to join Forest after holding talks with manager Oliver Glasner, who played an important role in convincing the forward to commit to the move.

A medical has already been booked, with Forest now preparing to complete the formal steps required to finalise the transfer. The agreement represents a significant investment from the Premier League club as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Delap joined Chelsea earlier this summer and was expected to compete for a prominent role in their forward line.

However, the opportunity to become an important figure in Forest’s project appears to have influenced his decision to consider a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old striker has developed a reputation as a powerful and direct forward, with his physicality, movement and ability to finish chances making him an attractive option for Forest.

With the verbal agreement now in place, attention will turn to Delap completing his medical and the clubs finalising the paperwork.

If everything proceeds as expected, Forest will secure a major attacking addition, while Chelsea will receive a substantial fee for the striker.