Hull City should be going all out to sign Nottingham Forest player - it's not Lewis O'Brien | OneFootball

Harry Toffolo would be an extremely shrewd signing for Hull City

Hull City have already secured two transfers since the recent announcement of Sergej Jakirovic as head coach, and are making further inroads when it comes to bolstering the Bosnian's squad for the upcoming season.

Experienced goalkeeper Dillon Phillips and Moroccan prospect, Reda Laalaoui, have both joined the Tigers as they prepare for what many will hope is a much more successful Championship campaign compared to 2024/25, in which a drop into League One was only just avoided on goal difference, whilst Semi Ajayi is reportedly close to being the third addition of an already active summer.

City have also been linked with a handful of names who also provide a plethora of high-quality second tier experience between them too, with it being reported that the club are in talks with ex-Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie over the possibility of a switch from Las Palmas, whilst also facing competition from Swansea City and Preston North End for the services of Nottingham Forest midfielder, Lewis O'Brien.

And, whilst the 26-year-old would be a shrewd addition in his own right, City should also be targeting another man whose exit from the City Ground has recently been confirmed by the East Midlands outfit, as improvements on the left side of defence are a must for Jakirovic during his maiden pre-season.

Hull City should look to improve their left-back options after mixed 2024/25 fortunes

Despite having the best defensive record in the bottom half last season with just 54 concessions in 46 games, Tim Walter and Ruben Selles utilised a number of options at left-back/left-wing back.

Ryan Giles failed to showcase why the Tigers parted with a £4m obligatory sum despite the man who brought him to the club on an initial loan basis - Liam Rosenior - being sacked in the 2024 off-season, making just 16 appearances in Black and Amber before his frustrating personal campaign continued in an underwhelming second loan spell with Middlesbrough.

Cody Drameh and Sean McLoughlin were the other main options utilised in this position, albeit neither are known as natural full-backs, with Selles not opting to bolster this department in January amid links to Charlie Taylor and Murray Wallace.

Homegrown prospect Matty Jacob, who also found regular minutes hard to come by in his second season of senior action for the Tigers, has also been linked with a drop into the third tier, with it being claimed that a deal with Reading could be finalised in the coming days. The aforementioned Drameh has also been the subject of interest from Preston, Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and Watford, meaning that extra depth, at a bare minimum, is needed.

Harry Toffolo could be the answer to Hull City's left-back woes amid Nottingham Forest departure

Whilst reports have emerged linking the East Yorkshire side to Callum O'Dowda, who accumulated five goal contributions from left wing-back during Cardiff City's dismal relegation season, Harry Toffolo should also be on the club's list of prime targets given his availability on a free transfer.

It was exclusively revealed by FLW that both Norwich City and Coventry City have the 29-year-old on their respective radars, as well as links to Rangers and Sunderland, with the Black Cats preparing for their first Premier League campaign in eight years after a dramatic play-off success.

During his last season at Championship level, the former England youth international was a key factor in Huddersfield Town's run to the play-off final under Carlos Corberan, registering six goals - one of which proved decisive at the MKM Stadium - and seven assists, which, alongside his defensive nous, was enough to earn a top-flight breakthrough at Forest alongside his long-standing colleague, O'Brien.

After being a regular fixture in Forest's survival bids under Steve Cooper and Nuno Espírito Santo, Toffolo found it extremely hard to battle past Neco Williams or Alex Moreno in the pecking order during a remarkable season at the City Ground, but his qualities and work rate were exemplified during the latter stages of the campaign.

He made his solitary league start in a 2-0 success against Tottenham Hotspur on Easter Monday, producing a stunning goal-line clearance to thwart a spectacular effort from Dejan Kulusevski, one of many defining moments as European football returned to Trentside for the first time in a generation.

It is, therefore, perhaps unsurprising that Sunderland believe the defender still has what it takes to be a valuable member of a top-flight squad. Toffolo would undoubtedly source more minutes in the Championship, although it may come down to a key financial decision from his point of view, having previously earned £35,000 per week at Forest, according to Capology's ESTIMATED figures.