Bolton Wanderers chance of sealing imminent deal for 9-goal forward revealed - Preston & Middlesbrough interest lingers | OneFootball

Bolton are battling Championship clubs for the winger's signature.

Bolton Wanderers are reportedly not close to a deal to sign Kelly N'Mai amid Championship interest in the Salford City winger.

After a standout season in League Two, the 21-year-old is looking likely to make a move up the football pyramid this summer.

City boss Karl Robinson has previously stated that bids in excess of £1 million for the club's academy product should be rejected by the Ammies. N'Mai's nine goals and five assists in the previous campaign helped Salford to make a strong play-off push, but they fell just short of the top seven on the final day thanks to a draw with already-relegated Carlisle United.

Bolton Wanderers not close to agreeing Kelly N'Mai deal

Bolton's interest in the winger has been well documented. They have already had a bid rejected for the 21-year-old, according to Football Insider.

Fresh reports from the Bolton News have stated that, while Steven Schumacher's side are interested in acquiring N'Mai this summer, a deal for him is not close to being done.

There is also Championship interest in the Salford man. Football League World exclusively reported that Middlesbrough and Preston North End are interested in signing N'Mai this summer, and that enquiries had been made to Salford about the player's availability.

The Trotters have had a very active start to the summer window. Already they have made five additions to Schumacher's squad in his first proper window in charge of the Lancashire club. They have also had one major outgoing; last season's top scorer, Aaron Collins, has joined fourth tier side MK Dons for a reported £800,000 fee.

Bolton's boss has said that there is scope for more incomings and outgoings this summer. He wants to have a more streamlined squad to work with next term, but, with players due back for the start of pre-season training soon, Schumacher has left the door open for some more transfer movement, amid the N'Mai links, before their 25/26 preparations get underway.

He said, via the Bolton News: "We still feel we can add potentially one or two more before the players come in for pre-season. There are obviously going to be players who will leave as well, knowing that their game time will be limited.

"It’s an exciting part of the season but the most important thing is that we are ready come 2nd August."

Kelly N'Mai would be a project signing for Bolton

If N'Mai were to be one of those who could come through the door of the Toughsheet Community Stadium before pre-season training gets underway, you'd imagine that he would have a pretty defined role in the squad from the get-go.

He's obviously had an improved campaign last time out and showed some real promising signs. Turning that hope into something tangible in League One may take some time though.

Unlike some of the other signings that Bolton have made, N'Mai isn't a player that the Wanderers fans should expect to see immediate, high-level production from.