With the January transfer window well and truly open for business, clubs across the EFL will be on the hunt for reinforcements across the pitch to bolster promotion, survival or playoff hopes alive.
With this in mind, and with recent trends, clubs may scout for talent from the National League to snag a cheap bargain.
So, here are five National League players that have shone in the first half of this season and may have eyes circling for their signature.
Boreham Wood’s Abdul Abdulmalik has been a catalyst in their promotion push, and despite possessing one of the National League’s lower budgets, they are sitting in second place under Luke Garrard, following promotion back into the fifth tier.
A pacey forward who can play in the left-sided areas of attacking play, as well as occasionally through the middle, Abdulmalik’s making somewhat of a name for himself thanks to his confidence pushing forwards, alongside high-quality end product in front of goal.
Such work-ethic as him will undoubtedly be desired for any EFL club who lacks any form of presence in front of goal, needing that extra creative flair, agility and sheer strength when carrying the ball, that causes defenders havoc.
Sutton United’s lackluster campaign has been invigorated by central midfielder Lewis Simper, who has recently made it into double figures for goal contributions, showing how he is an integral part of Sutton United’s lineup.
With his contract expiring in the summer, alongside Sutton looking seriously threatened by the looming prospect of relegation, Simper’s performances have mirrored any classic box-to-box midfielder’s attributes, not being afraid to get stuck in and dictate the games flow.
Therefore, a League Two move seems likely a heavy possibility in January.
Furthermore, with him still only aged 24, Simper could be a low-risk transfer to build for future seasons.
One of the most obvious names on this list, Linney has already been linked to several Northern based League One and Two clubs.
Furthermore, this is mostly due to his immense run of form in front of goal, scoring four braces already this season including one against Reading in the FA Cup first round.
Linney’s positional knowledge and elite finishing ability have propelled his price tag, rapidly becoming a favourite amongst the Carlisle faithful.
However, at the age of twenty-eight, is it time for him to make the huge step up and play EFL football for the first time in his career?
Comments online such as “doing things yet again our midfield maestro”, “Oliver Ewing has potential to play in the Prem” and “If we keep Oliver Ewing we go up” just about summarise the impact he’s had at Scunthorpe United this season, following his free agent move from Leicester City’s academy.
What you’d describe as a “hardman” in midfield, not only has he executed the more CDM based defensive roles in the midfield.
But he’s also displayed a calmness on the ball, gliding through opposition midfields with ease, dictating the play.
With just six months left on his contract, there’s potential that a League Two or League One side come swooping in with a relatively moderate transfer fee.
Saving the most obvious for last, twenty-two-year-old York City forward Josh Stones already reportedly has Wigan Athletic and Barnsley battling it out for his signature.
These clubs also fall alongside Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian, and despite York owner Matt Uggla publicly stating a transfer is “not happening,” it seems like one hell of a task to retain him until the summer.
Stones’ main praises are his consistently high work-rate and confidence in front of goal, unquestionably bolstering a majority of League One’s forward lines, but with Josh Stones’ recent performances for York, it will certainly cost them a pretty penny!
