Transfer gossip (Wednesday): Hull City look to Greece | Leeds want Bradford City star | Aston Villa must sell to land Middlesbrough striker

Silva is desperate to increase his options following the arrival of Everton striker Oumar Niasse and Porto midfielder Evandro and more moves could be sealed in the next few days.

One of those new recruits is expected to be a right-back, where options are limited with Ahmed Elmohamady on African Cup of Nations business and Moses Odubajo on the long-term injured list.

Fenerbache defender Gregory van der Wiel has previously been linked and is known to have caught the eye of Silva, although wages for the Dutch international could be an issue.

Hull are also thought to have held talks with Silva’s former club Olympiakos regarding their right-back, Omar Elabdellaoui, with a £500,000 loan fee reportedly agreed with the Greek outfit ahead of a possible £5m summer move.

Hull have reportedly rejected bids from West Ham and West Brom respectively for Robert Snodgrass and Jake Livermore, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor is set to join Cardiff City on loan until the end of the season.

Bradford City defender James Meredith is the subject of interest from Championship outfit Norwich City, who are considering making a bid.

The Australian has been outstanding for Bradford but is off-contract at the end of this season, with the left-back attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs, including Leeds United.

Norwich’s need for a left-sided full-back has been underlined by the £4m exit of Martin Olsson to Swansea, with the Canaries eyeing Meredith as a potential replacement.

It remains to be seen if the Bantams would consider selling Meredith, as they chase promotion from League One.

Meredith, 28, has made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Bantams this season.

Bradford and Doncaster Rovers are being linked with moves for Hartlepool midfielder Nicky Featherstone.

The former Hull player, 28, is also being eyed by Northampton.

Rovers are contemplating whether to send defender Mitchell Lund out on loan to boost his fitness levels.

Aston Villa are prepared to sell Jordan Ayew to fund a deal for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes.

Villa, who are 10 points off a play-off position, desperately need some strong reinforcements this January if they are to get anywhere close to challenging for a top-six play-off place come the end of the season.

Rhodes is out of favour at Boro, but still rated in the £10m bracket, with Villa contemplating selling Ayew - subject of interest in China - to fund a move for Rhodes.

Patrick Bamford is close to sealing a move to Boro, whose utility man, Emilio Nsue, is wanted by Birmingham.