The January transfer window closed last week and a number of National League sides will have breathed a sigh of relief by keeping hold of their key players.
With a number of players having strong first half campaigns with their respective clubs, it would be a surprise if any of those high performing individuals weren’t linked with EFL clubs in the summer.
This article will take a look at five players, using statistics from Sofascore, who could be linked to an EFL move in the summer should they keep up their impressive performances in the second half of this season.
Regan Linney – Altrincham
Currently the National League’s joint-top goalscorer this season, Linney has played the entirety of his footballing career within non-league for the likes of Bamber Bridge, FC United of Manchester and now Altrincham.
In his third season with the Robins, the 27 year old has scored 16 goals so far with an average of 0.6 goals per game. Linney provides a consistent threat for the Manchester side as well with an average of 2.4 shots per match with 1.1 of these on target.
The striker also has an average of 0.28 assists per game with six in total. He is also capable of taking on opposition defenders in 1v1 situations having completed 69% of dribbles successfully this season.
Given that the likes of Lorent Tolaj, Macaulay Langstaff and Michael Cheek have all moved from the fifth tier to the EFL and sustained their goal scoring ability, it may lead to Linney being the next in line on this list. With reported interest from Fleetwood Town recently, Altrincham may look to cash-in on their talented striker in the next window should they not achieve their goal of winning promotion to League Two at the end of the season.
Gus Scott-Morriss – Southend United
Another individual who has played the entirety of his career in non-league but could be moving to the EFL in the summer is Southend’s Gus Scott Morriss. The 27 year old defender played for Royston Town and Hemel Hempstead Town before moving to Roots Hall in 2022.
The full-back has been a consistent performer for the Shrimpers and was named in last season’s National League team of the season. So far this campaign he has stepped up a level which may see him top on EFL club’s shopping lists this summer.
His defensive ability has seen him win an average of 6.9 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and has helped his side to the third most clean sheets in the division with 13 so far this season. As expected of the modern full-back, Scott-Morriss’ ability going forward has been just as impressive this season.
He has scored 11 goals so far during the 2024-25 campaign at an average of 0.4 per match and created a number of opportunities for his team-mates as well through his impressive wing-play. The 27 year old has completed 67% of dribbles and completes 2.3 accurate crosses per 90 minutes, providing a consistent threat down the right flank.
Having signed a contract with the Essex side until the summer of 2026, EFL clubs will likely need to pay a decent fee in order to secure the services of Scott-Morriss in the summer.
Kyron Gordon – Rochdale
Having experienced EFL football during the start of his career, Kyron Gordon could return to the Football League next season should he continue to put in the strong performances he has so far this season. The 22 year old has been an ever-present figure in the Dale defence this season.
Gordon started his career in the EFL with Sheffield United and made a handful of appearances in the Championship. Spells with Boston United, Boreham Wood and AFC Fylde followed before a move to Rochdale in 2023.
During his 26 appearances so far this season, Gordon has predominantly played on the right of a back three but has the versatility to play as a right-back and as a centre-back in a back four. He has won an average of 11.8 ball recoveries and 52% of aerial duels so far this season.
These performances have allowed his Rochdale side to post the best defensive statistics in the National League with 0.8 goals conceded per game and 11 clean sheets. Gordon’s ability as a ball-playing centre back will be popular with EFL clubs as well having 85% passing accuracy this season.
The 22 year old’s consistent performance level for a defensively solid, possession based Rochdale side will likely lead to EFL clubs circling for his signature in the summer transfer window. Gordon’s age and experience coupled with the fact that he is under contract at Rochdale until 2026 will likely mean a significant fee will be required to see him move away from the Crown Oil Arena.
Kyrell Lisbie – Braintree Town
One name who isn’t currently at the top of the scoring charts but may be looked at by EFL clubs at the end of the season is Kyrell Lisbie. The 21 year old is the son of former Charlton Athletic and Norwich City striker Kevin Lisbie.
Kyrell started his career within the academies of West Ham United and Watford before playing in non-league for Woodford Town and Welling United. It was his 29 goals for Cray Valley Paper Mills last season that caught the eye of Braintree Town who swooped for the young forward.
Despite the jump of four leagues, Lisbie has made an impressive start to his Iron career. The youngster has scored seven goals this season for the relegation-threatened club and can play either on the left of an attacking three or down the middle as the main striker.
His ability and agility has allowed him to beat his opposition in 1v1 duels with a 74% success rate of dribbles attempted this season. The 21 year old has been able to link up play with his teammates as well having completed 69% of passes for the Essex side.
What may attract EFL sides to Lisbie is the context to his performances this season. Considering the jump that the forward has made from the Isthmian League South East Division to the National League and having impressed, so far, in a Braintree side that are fighting relegation it may well be that he will continue his upward trajectory and have an impact in the EFL.
With his young age and fast-tracked development, Lisbie could be a good investment for an EFL club to have a future star on their books at the start of the 2025-26 season.
Jack Sims – Sutton United
A goalkeeper who is currently impressing this season that could climb the ladder again in the summer is Jack Sims. Sims made a single appearance in the Football League during his three year spell at Blackpool at the start of his career.
Since his stint in Lancashire, the 25 year old has spent the rest of his career in non-league with Welling and Braintree. Since his move to Sutton in the summer and claiming the number one spot in October, Sims has put in a number of impressive performances for the South London side.
The former Blackpool keeper has kept a clean sheet in 50% of his appearances this season with seven in total. On top of this, Sims has made an average of 2.4 saves per match, saving 73% of shots faced.
The modern goalkeeper not only has to be a good shot-stopper but an additional player at the back who is happy with the ball at their feet. Sutton’s number one has proved this so far with a passing accuracy of 88% and an ability to start attacks quickly with a 68% accuracy when attempting long passes.
At a young age with the attributes that Sims has, it would be a surprise if an EFL club does not look to boost their goalkeeping department by signing the 25 year old in the summer.