Wolves are open to the idea of selling centre-back Willy Boly to Nottingham Forest this summer, reliable journalist Steve Madeley has claimed.

The Lowdown: Boly a Wolves stalwart

The Ivory Coast defender has been a strong performer for the Old Gold over a sustained period of time, helping them return to the Premier League in 2018 and making 147 appearances in total.

However, Boly has become a less important figure in recent years, mainly because injuries have continually hampered his progress in frustrating fashion.

At 31 years of age, it could also be that his best days are behind him, with his current contract expiring next summer.

The Latest: Madeley makes Boly exit claim

Taking to Twitter in sharing a piece for The Athletic, Madeley confirmed Forest's interest in Boly and added that Wolves could allow him to move to the City Ground. He tweeted:

"As per @JPercyTelegraph, Wolves have rejected a Nottingham Forest bid of around £1m for Willy Boly. Get the impression they would consider selling but not at that price nor without having a replacement lined up."

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The Verdict: Right time to sell?

Boly will always be a hero to Wolves fans, given the quality and commitment that he has provided over the years - former Molineux defender Joleon Lescott previously called him an 'instrumental' presence at the back - but it now feels like the right time to sell.

A colossal presence during the memorable 2019/20 season when he featured regularly for the Old Gold and won four headers per game, the Ivorian's number in that regard was 50% lower last term as he managed only 10 league appearances [WhoScored].

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With the likes of Max Kilman and Nathan Collins now being preferred at the back, it is difficult to see the 31-year-old getting much of a look-in under Bruno Lage, barring injuries to the current starters.

The fact that Boly is into the final year of his contract also means that now is the last realistic opportunity for Wolves to earn a transfer fee for him, rather than losing him on a free transfer in 2023.