Kwasi Poku’s absence from Forge FC’s matchday squad against Halifax Wanderers FC on Wednesday night was a surprise to fans in the Canadian Premier League, but it turns out his exclusion wasn’t without reason.

Forge head coach Bobby Smyrniotis confirmed when asked postmatch that Poku had been held out of the team for precautionary reasons ahead of a potential transfer this month.

“For Kwasi right now, there’s quite a bit of interest in the transfer market,” Smyrniotis said.

The 21-year-old Poku has had a breakout season in 2024, especially since converting from a fullback to a centre-forward. In 14 games since Smyrniotis first deployed him as a striker, Poku has scored 10 goals, including crucial markers against Major League Soccer clubs CF Montréal and Toronto FC. His eight goals in CPL play have him second in the Golden Boot race.

Poku has been at Forge since 2022, signing for the club from Toronto FC II. He has played a total of 70 games for the Hamilton side with 13 goals and four assists, winning championships in both 2022 and 2023.

He has also represented Canada at the youth level, including at the 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship.

Despite Poku’s absence on Wednesday, Forge still managed to defeat Halifax 2-0 to move into first place in the CPL table.

It’s unclear where exactly Poku might be headed or how imminent a transfer may be, but Smyrniotis indicated that Poku’s red-hot form seems to have attracted plenty of attention from around the footballing world.