Bolton Wanderers transfer offer turned down for 9-goal EFL winger | OneFootball

Salford City have rejected a first bid from Bolton Wanderers for the talented young forward Nmai

Bolton Wanderers have had a bid for promising Salford City winger Kelly Nmai rejected, according to reports.

The Trotters have failed in their first attempt to take versatile Ammies man Nmai to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, but they could return with another bid for the Dutchman.

Bolton are currently undergoing extensive renovation on their first team squad following a disappointing 2024/25 season, which saw them fall off the pace in the chase for a League One play-off place, ending their season in eighth place, only two positions but 10 points from a chance of securing a return to the Championship.

Bolton Wanderes see bid for Kelly Nmai rejected

Football Insider reports that Bolton have had their opening offer for Salford City's Kelly Nmai rejected.

The amount that they bid for him is not known, but it's reported that Salford - owned by David Beckham and Gary Neville - are expecting further interest from Championship clubs, with FLW exclusively reporting this week that both Middlesbrough and Preston North End had launched transfer enquiries.

Salford themselves finished last season in eighth place in League Two, although they ended their season just one point shy of a play-off place.

It is, therefore, completely understandable that they would want to keep hold of Nmai as they prepare for another attempt at promotion themselves or maximise what they can get for him in the event that they have to sell, with him reportedly having just one year left on his contract.

Bolton Wanderers may have to pay seven figures for Kelly Nmai

Having had trials with both Manchester City and Manchester United before signing for Salford in 2020, there is little doubting Kelly Nmai's talent.

The Dutch winger, who actually operated as both a left wing-back and a striker for the most part under manager Karl Robinson last season, has played two seasons at The Peninsula Stadium, running up sixty League appearances for Salford over that time.

And last season saw him truly flourish, with nine goals and four assists from 32 League appearances as the team chased a play-off spot, despite missing two months of the season with a knee injury.

Bolton were never likely to be alone in their interest in Nmai, but it may take them bumping up whatever they've offered significantly, with Robinson claiming that Salford should turn down offers of £1 million this summer for the talented Dutch winger - whether that is what it takes to prise him away from the Peninsula Stadium though remains to be seen.