Delap made a bold £30M transfer move to Stamford Bridge just last summer, following Ipswich Town's relegation at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season, where he scored 12 goals in his debut top-flight campaign at Portman Road.
However, he's struggled to replicate that form under several Chelsea managers, with Joao Pedro now replacing him as No.9 for new boss Xabi Alonso.
The 21-year-old managed to score just one EPL goal across the full 2025/26 campaign and Chelsea are ready to let him go with Everton and Nottingham Forest rumoured to be planning offers.
Both clubs need a new striker amid high-profile issues with scoring goals in 2025/26 - but no formal bids have been made - as Chelsea aim for around £40M.
That may be deemed too high, and reports from The Independent claim Ipswich could table a season-long loan offer, in a move that potentially suits all parties.
A move back to Suffolk would put Delap in familiar surroundings as he looks to regain his level, and Gary O'Neil is building a powerful forward line after already bringing in Chuba Akpom, Emersonn and Abdul Fattawu so far this summer.