Hull City are firmly in the race to sign both Lewis O'Brien and Louie Barry from Premier League opposition, while they remain keen to bring in striker Oli McBurnie.
Talks have been underway with Nottingham Forest over a move for O'Brien for a number of weeks, as revealed by Hull Live, but the financial package required to get the deal done remains a stumbling block.
City are in discussions with Forest over both a loan and permanent deal for the 26-year-old midfielder, who has a contract at the City Ground until next summer, though suggestions of a £5m deal are thought to be wide of the mark according to sources involved in negotiations.
O'Brien is believed to be keen on moving to the Tigers, which would also enable him to be closer to his West Yorkshire home, but he is not the only option the club have in that area of the pitch. City are believed to have a player on their radar based in Europe who is also in discussions and could arrive instead, with owner Acun Ilicali and head coach Sergej Jakirovic heavily involved in those talks.