Exclusive: Cardiff City plot move for winger - Middlesbrough and Preston wanted him in the summer | OneFootball

Cardiff City are lining up a move for exciting Salford City wide-man Kelly N'Mai this month, Football League World has learned

Cardiff City will be targeting quality over quantity once again in the remainder of the January transfer window as Brian Barry-Murphy bids to complete any potential deals capable of helping his side one step closer to the Championship.

The Bluebirds are flying high atop the League One table with a six-point advantage over second-placed Lincoln City, while they managed to put a distance of nine points between themselves and Bradford City in third by claiming a statement 2-1 victory in West Yorkshire over the weekend.

Barry-Murphy's outfit remain unbeaten in their last six league encounters and will be looking to continue the momentum when they host another promotion rival in fourth-placed Stockport County on Saturday afternoon.

Naturally, then, the focus has been on streamlining what is already a richly-competitive squad. Having signed just three players amid a mass summer exodus by acquiring Omari Kellyman, Gabriel Osho and Nathan Trott, Cardiff's sole addition to date this month has come in the form of goalkeeper Harry Tyrer from Everton.

There has been no shortage of outgoings, though, with the likes of Jak Alnwick, Kion Etete, Luey Giles, Dakarai Mafico, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Troy Perrett all departing the Welsh capital either on loan or permanently.

However, Cardiff could yet bolster Barry-Murphy's squad before the end of January, and are eyeing a deal that two Championship promotion-chasers tried to complete back in the summer.

Cardiff City eyeing Salford City, Kelly N'Mai transfer - Middlesbrough and Preston were previously interested

Football League World can exclusively reveal that the player in question is Salford City's Kelly N'Mai, with Cardiff understood to be lining up a move for the exciting 21-year-old wide-man.

For the time being, at least, it remains unclear exactly how confident Cardiff are of getting a deal over the line, but their interest is clear in what may represent seriously exciting news for Bluebirds supporters.

That's because Middlesbrough and Preston North End both lodged enquiries for N'Mai's signature, which was also disclosed by FLW.

A deal ultimately failed to come to fruition, but with the Championship pair having since firmly established themselves in the second-tier promotion pack, Cardiff could now land something of a coup if they can advance their pursuits.

The Dutch-born winger, who can operate in a number of positions in attack and down the left-hand side, has enjoyed a rise to prominence with League Two promotion hopefuls Salford over the last two campaigns.

Previous interest from Middlesbrough and Preston came following N'Mai's haul of nine goals and five assists in the 2024/25 season. N'Mai has maintained his productive output for the Ammies this term, having found the back of the net on seven occasions while setting up a further three from just 20 appearances across all competitions at the time of writing.

Cardiff City, Kelly N'Mai transfer deal would address Brian Barry-Murphy issue

Although Barry-Murphy has confirmed his intention of potentially adding another left-back to the building to offer competition to Joel Bagan, who is Cardiff's sole senior option in that area of the pitch right now, it's little secret that the Bluebirds could also benefit from bolstering the wide department.

Chris Willock has displayed inspired form in League One this time around following a disappointing debut campaign, whereas Ollie Tanner marked his recent return from a long-term injury lay-off by setting up both goals in Cardiff's aforementioned win at Bradford.

However, the likes of Cian Ashford and Isaak Davies - the latter of whom is much more comfortable in a central role as opposed to being deployed out wide - have struggled for consistency at stages.

Talented Chelsea loanee Omari Kellyman has taken his performances up a gear or two in recent times, though he too is perhaps at his best when utilised in his favoured attacking midfield role.

Virtually without variation, Cardiff find themselves playing against low defensive blocks, and a winger who can progressively carry the ball, stretch defences and offer an added goal threat from wide areas would add a new profile to the mix.

N'Mai, in light of his exploits at Salford over the last year-and-a-half, would tick this box, while his age and potential also align with Cardiff's strategy of building a younger squad and maximising future resale value.