Peterborough United Identify 20-Year-Old As Poku Replacement

Peterborough United are reportedly considering a summer swoop for rising Salford City forward Kelly N’Mai, as the League One side prepares for life after Kwame Poku.

N’Mai, who has been attracting attention for his recent form in League Two, has scored five times in his last nine appearances for Salford, helping their late push for a play-off place. However, he was forced off with an injury during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Doncaster Rovers, casting some doubt over his short-term availability.

The 20-year-old Dutchman fits Peterborough’s well-known recruitment strategy: young, pacey and technically gifted. Having started his professional career at Salford City in 2021, N’Mai has featured in 77 matches across all competitions, netting 11 goals. Despite being born in the Netherlands, he progressed through the youth ranks at Salford after moving to the UK and had trials at both Manchester United and Manchester City before settling at the Peninsula Stadium.

N’Mai’s versatility and potential appeal

Capable of operating in several attacking roles, N’Mai is seen as a potential replacement for Poku, who is set to depart Posh at the end of the season. The forward already has some history against Peterborough, having faced them in the FA Cup last season.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony recently confirmed the club’s intention to add two wingers to the squad for next season, who would challenge Abraham Odoh and Cian Hayes for starting roles. N’Mai, who signed a new two-year deal with Salford last summer, seems to align closely with those targets.

N’Mai’s journey includes loan spells at Warrington Rylands and Chester, where he gained valuable experience in lower divisions. His performance in the 2023–24 season, particularly during Salford’s injury crisis, showcased his ability to step up when needed — earning a Man of the Match nod in a win against Newport County.

Meanwhile, there’s also movement elsewhere in League One, as Paul Warne has been confirmed as the new manager of MK Dons, adding further intrigue to the off-season landscape.

Writer’s view

N’Mai’s link to Peterborough makes a lot of sense — he ticks all the boxes that the club usually looks for. While his recent injury might make the deal more complicated, his age, versatility, and proven growth make him a compelling option. Replacing Poku won’t be easy, but few young forwards have shown the kind of promise N’Mai has recently.

Gary Hutchinson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Real EFL, which he launched in 2018 to offer dedicated coverage of the English Football League. A writer for over 20 years, Gary has contributed to Sky Sports and the Lincolnshire Echo, while also authoring Suited and Booted. He also runs The Stacey West and possesses a background in iGaming content strategy and English football betting. Passionate about football journalism, Gary continues to develop The Real EFL into a key authority in the EFL space.

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