---
title: "Nottingham Forest: Reds closing in on Willy Boly signing"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-premier-league-willy-boly-transfers-news-updates-wolves/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Nottingham Forest News"
published: "2022-08-29T12:35:00Z"
modified: "2022-08-29T12:35:00Z"
---

# Nottingham Forest: Reds closing in on Willy Boly signing

**[Nottingham Forest](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-news/) are ‘closing in’ on the signing of Wolves centre-back Willy Boly, according to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.**

### The Lowdown: Boly avoids Wolves game

On Sunday, the Old Gold drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle United in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), with the Ivory Coast defender named in the matchday squad at Molineux.

However, the 31-year-old was [nowhere to be seen](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2022/08/28/willy-boly-forcing-move-away-from-wolves-after-molineux-no-show-says-bruno-lage/) at the stadium, and as was confirmed by Bruno Lage after the match, he hadn’t informed anyone of his decision to not attend proceedings.

It immediately threw Boly’s future into further doubt, having been [strongly linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-news/nottingham-forest-premier-league-willy-boly-transfers-news-updates/) with a move to Forest.

### The Latest: Forest close to completing signing

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1564191173908086787?s=20&t=tGxFkS4vqHuZlz9txb8BxA) on Monday morning, Romano stated that the Reds are close to securing the signing of the 31-year-old, not long after making Renan Lodi their [18th recruit](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiMxIvA7uv5AhXvQkEAHVY1DzMQFnoECBIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goal.com%2Fen-ie%2Fnews%2Fatletico-lodi-nottingham-forest-loan-premier-league-new-boys%2Fblt6115b12113d8a54f&usg=AOvVaw3s0s3OoBVmPFOduYiQEUeN) of the summer.

The Italian tweeted:

> “Nottingham Forest are closing in on their 19th summer signing: talks now progressing to final stages for Willy Boly as new centre back, it’s really close.
>
> “Forest hope to get it done in 24h to agree with Wolves and then complete medical.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292844″\]

### The Verdict: Strong summer addition

Boly would be an interesting signing by Forest, not necessarily coming in as a long-term addition but possessing a huge amount of experience over the years.

The centre-back has made [89 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/willy-boly/alletore/spieler/142310) in the Premier League and won 13 caps for the Ivory Coast, so he could an older head alongside a [relatively youthful defence](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nottingham-forest/startseite/verein/703), aside from fellow 31-year-old Steve Cook.

\[freshpress-poll id=”405077″\]

Last season, the Ivorian [averaged](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/161/Archive/England-Wolverhampton) two successful headers, 2.5 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game in the top flight. Those figures would place him in the top four (or better) for each metric [among Cooper’s squad](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/174/Show/England-Nottingham-Forest) in the early weeks of the current campaign.

Boly’s recent [injury problems](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/willy-boly/verletzungen/spieler/142310) are a concern, which makes signing him a risk, but even if he is used wisely as a squad player rather than being named in the team every week, there is no reason why he can’t be a shrewd signing at the City Ground.