Hull City are hoping for a busy and fruitful week in the January transfer window as the Tigers look to make their first signing to boost Ruben Selles' squad.

Bringing in a defender is high on the agenda for City, and the Tigers have been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest's Willy Boly with the former Wolves ace on the cusp of leaving the City Ground, according to reports.

Boly has been a pivotal figure at Forest during his two years in the East Midlands but has been used sparingly this season by boss Nuno Espírito Santo, mainly off the bench to help keep up the Reds' impressive form so far this term.

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The Ivory Coast defender is out of contract at the end of the season and so far, there has been no progress over any potential contract talks, which has increased speculation about a potential departure from the Reds.

According to a report in Africa Foot, City and their Championship rivals Millwall - who they are set to play on Saturday week - are keen on prising the 33-year-old away from the City Ground this month.

Boly has just four top-flight appearances to his name this season, playing understudy to Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, while Morato has been above him in the pecking order. While Forest won't want to leave themselves short of defensive cover in the second half of the season, the Ivorian's desire to play more regularly will have an impact. Fellow fringe player Andrew Omobamidele has also been linked with a move away from Forest, with Leeds United said to be keen on the Republic of Ireland international.

A Championship promotion winner with Wolves, Boly has 124 Premier League appearances under his belt, along with 36 in the second-tier, having also played in France and Portugal's top tier.

Adding valuable experience is viewed as crucial in this window, throughout the side, and adding cover at the back is viewed as key for City, who have struggled defensively this term. The Tigers are currently operating with Alfie Jones and Sean McLoughlin as their two centre-backs with Charlie Hughes out injured.

Andy Smith was on the bench on Saturday against Leeds United as defensive cover, but the 23-year-old has never made a Championship appearance, while Manchester City loanee Fin Burns is viewed as a midfielder.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have also been linked with a move for Polish international left-back Tymoteusz Puchacz, who plays in Germany with Holstein Kiel. The 25-year-old, who came through the tanks at Lech Poznan, is said to be a loan target for a host of clubs, including City and Championship rivals Derby County, as well as Stoke City and Plymouth Argyle.