Willy Boly close to joining Nottingham Forest from Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Willy Boly is close to completing a switch to Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest.

The Ivory Coast international is close to becoming Forest’s 19th summer signing after losing most of the players that helped them gain promotion.

Wolves had previously rejected a £1 million bid from Forest for Boly, but Forest now look set to sign the experienced centre-back.

The news comes a day after the 31-year-old refused to turn up for his side despite manager Bruno Lage calling him up for the matchday squad.

On Sunday, Boly refused to show up at the Molineux for Wolves’ 1-1 draw against Newcastle United.

Speaking after the game, the Portuguese manager said (via BBC), “He has a proposal in his hands, and he wants to go. That is my feeling when I talk to him.”

“I told him I need a top player like you on the bench, and afterwards, he makes his decision. He was in the squad list, and he didn’t come.”

Boly has been a part of the Wolves setup since joining the club, initially on loan, in 2017 from FC Porto. He reunited with former boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Boly was part of the Wolves team that helped the club win the Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2017/18 season.

He would become an integral part of Wolves’ backline, forming a revered partnership with Conor Coady and Roman Saiss.

However, the new boss, Lage, has not shown the same fate Nuno had in Boly. The former Benfica manager limited Boly to ten Premier League appearances last campaign. He has not started a game for Wolves this season.

Boly will now join Forest for the new season. He will hope his experience and leadership can help Steve Cooper’s side avoid relegation after their heavy investment.

Forest have a mountain to climb to stay up with an almost brand new squad. They will be hoping that signings like Boly, who already know the league, will give them the resolve to survive this season.