Transfer Targets: National League

With the transfer window fast approaching, Ryan Deeney profiles the National League performers who look primed for a move to the EFL

Quick Note: At this time of year, our tradition at NTT20.COM isn’t Christmas lists or Black Friday deals — it’s the transfer window. January approaches, our watch begins, and with it the return of TRANSFER TARGETS. This three-part series highlights the players who could step up to clubs in higher divisions.

We start, as ever, in the National League. Over to the expert, Ryan Deeney, to open the first five windows of our advent calendar…

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Ryan Deeney

For a third year running, Ali and George have set me the task of identifying five National League players who could make their way into the EFL, during the January transfer window or beyond.

Of the ten players I’ve selected so far:

• Six have gone on to play in the EFL

  • George Nevett (Peterborough United)

  • Besart Topalloj (won promotion with Bromley)

  • Reece Smith (Harrogate Town)

  • Lorent Tolaj (Port Vale, now Plymouth Argyle)

  • Adam Senior (Barnet)

  • Dion Pereira (Crawley Town)

• One moved to the Scottish Premiership

  • Owen Oseni (St Mirren, before signing for Plymouth Argyle)

• And two currently play for the side sitting at the top of the National League

  • Kyron Gordon (Rochdale)

  • Casey Pettit (Rochdale)

A decent effort, I’d say. And the reason this piece remains a fixture on NTT20.COM over the winter is because the link between the National League and EFL remains strong - with loads of players making the step up:

With more young talent than ever making their way into an increasingly professional division, it’s time to check out the latest batch of talent on recruitment radars up and down the country. One of these five might be making their way to your club in the coming months…

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Jacob Pinnington

• Full-back

• Braintree Town

• 21 (yesterday!)

I love a game with a good narrative, so while Braintree Town vs Truro City recently didn’t stand out from a purely footballing perspective, it had the hallmarks of a match that would tell me a lot about both teams.